From:

Nattukkottai Chettiar Nagara Viduthi-Penang,

Magammai Fund Raising Committee,

No: 2 Lorong SS 5D/9A, Kelana Jaya,

47301 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor D.E., Malaysia.

2^nd February, 2007

Anbulla Nattukkottai Nagarathar Anaivarukkum Vanakkam.

Re: PENANG NAGARA VIDUTHI – BUILDING RESTORATION & UPGRADE FUND

PENANG NAGARA VIDUTHI, at 24 Leboh China, 10200 Penang, Malaysia,was built in 1932. Geraha Peravesam held on 26th day of Ahvani Matham in Ahngirasa Varudam. This Viduthi is now in dire need of extensive repair and WE NEED FUNDS.

Thavathiru. P. N. M. Muthupalaniappa Chettiar JP, from Athangudi, then residing at Bukit Mertajam, Malaya, took great efforts, went to Burma, Cambodia, Ceylon, Chitagong, Indo-China, Indonesia, Malaya and Siam, collected Magammai donations to build this. I have personally seen Muthupalaniappa Aiya’s collection register. I would not be wrong in saying, “Each and every Nattukkottai Nagarathar world over is part of it”.

Nagara Viduthi has seen better times. Nagarathars from India took up lodging, en route to Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Hong Kong, Medan and Saigon. ‘Magammai’ was 25 cents, per person, per day, in 1952. It had then generated sufficient revenue for up-keep, salary of ‘Keraniyar’ (Clerk) and ‘Kootu-murai’ (Janitor). When seafaring trickled over years, revenue dwindled. Various Nagara Kovils in Malaysia then funded it. Now Magammai at RM 5.00 is insufficient. . High occupancy is only during ‘Thaipoosa Thiruvilla’.

Subsequent to demise of Muthupalaniappa Aiya, Penang Nagarathars were entrusted with managing Nagara Viduthi, for and on behalf of all Ahyaloor Nattukottai Nagarathars.

Nagara Viduthi Annual General Meeting was, then conducted in Nagara Viduthi premises. Subsequent to World War - II, it is conducted at Thaneermalai Thendayuthapani kovil on Kavadi Poosai day. This ‘Ahyaloor Nagarathar’s Nagara Viduthi Pothu Kootam’ is now conducted by Penang Nagarathars and their Nadappu Kariyakkarar for Sivan Kovil and Nagara Viduthi would preside. All Ahyaloor Nagarathars attend.

Nagara Viduthi Pothu Kuttam minutes would be read and Accounts for year ended presented. Duly proposed and seconded by Ahyaloor Nagarathars present and by general consensus it would be approved. All matters pertaining to Nagara Viduthi would be discussed and resolved, by general consensus. All Nagarathars present would sign minutes. Earlier practice of mailing AGM minutes to all places in Asean region where Nagarathars had established business, no longer continues.

One of the Resolutions adopted at Ahyaloor Nagarathar’s Nagara Viduthi Pothu Kootam on Friday 2nd February 2007, is the duly elected and appointment of six Nagarathars for purpose of collecting ‘Magammai’ contributions, from willing Nattukkottai Nagarathar donors world wide, for required funds to repair the building. The six Nagarathar appointees are :-

(1) S. Thevarayan Chettiar, Klang as Thalaivar,

(2) V. Valliappa Chettiar, Ipoh,

(3) S. Somasundaram Chettiar, Petaling Jeya,

(4) KM. Chockalingam Chettiar, Alor Setar

(5) N. Sathappa Chettiar, Penang.

(6) KR.P. Lakshmanan Chettiar, Kuala Lumpur.

We have co-opted N.Jeyasubramaniam Chettiar, Kuala Lumpur as our International Representative

We need to keep this Nagaraviduthi and maintain it for use of Nattukkottai Nagarathars visiting Penang. However small occupancy may be, we should continue maintaining it as it is our Heritage Asset. Perhaps, a complete renovation instead of mere repairs would be more meaningful and would draw more Nagarathars to lodge here.

Built-up area of this 2 floors building, in the heart of Georgetown City, Penang, would be, approximately 9,600 sq ft. Given adequate funds, Nagarathars would be able to do extensive renovation to suit modern needs. Setting up several air-conditiond rooms and dormitories in this Viduthi may be appropriate. It would be prudent on our part to set target of RM500,000.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Five Hundred Thousand) for this purpose. Needless to say, even if we are not taking up lodging at Nagara Viduthi, it would be incumbent on our part to contribute to this worthy cause.

We appeal to all Nattukkottai Nagarathars world vide, for their wholehearted,generous‘Magammai’donation.Bank Draft/Cheque/International Money Order, preferably payable at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in Malaysian Ringgit, may please be made out in name of: 'NATTUKKOTTAI CHETTIAR NAGARA VIDUTHI, PENANG, 'MAGAMMAI' FUND RAISING COMMITTEE"

and mailed to:

Mr. S. Somasundaram,

2 Lorong SS 5D/9A,

Kelana Jaya,

47301 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor D.E Malaysia.

Please furnish your full name, address, email id, Kovil and native place in the enclosed form. You may please write to me at <srinivasan_thevarayan@yahoo.com> for clarification if necessary.

With Best Regards and Thank You,

Anbudan,

S. Thevarayan

Thalaivar, Nattukkottai Chettiar Nagara Viduthi Penang, Magammai Fund Raising Committee

KINDLY SUBMIT THIS FORM BELOW WITH YOUR PARTICULARS WHEN REMITTING FUNDS.

Nattukkottai Chettiar Nagara Viduthi-Penang,

Magammai Fund Raising Committee,

No: 2 Lorong SS 5D/9A, Kelana Jaya,

47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE Malaysia

Tel: +6 03 78751493, +6 012 6699508, email: natkotsoma@yahoo.com

Name:_______________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Tel House_______________________ Tel Office___________________________

Mobile:__________________________

Email Add:_____________________________________________________________

Occupation:_________________________Village in India __________________

Kovil:______________________ Privu:____________________________________

Achi's Name:___________________________________________________________

I …………………………………………………….. wish to contribute …………………………….. for Penang the Nagara Viduthi Building Restoration & and Upgrade Fund.

I enclose herewith the Cash/ Cheque No:………………………………

Signature Date:

Please address the the cheque to

Nattukottai Chettiar Nagara Viduthi, Penag, 'Magammai' Fund Raising Committee

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