I am getting back to
Kerala’s much loved Irish planter, JJ Murphy about whom I have already written
so much. There are two events that I have to report.
The first is that The
Mundakayam Club which Murphy built in 1912 is holding a one year long Centenary
Celebration and so much is being said about Murphy. Incidentally, my post Short
Story: DANIEL OF THE MANMALAI CLUB would give you an idea of how club life
was for the planters during the last century.
Given below is the portrait
of Murphy in the Mundakayam Club:
It seems different from his
photo which is in An
Indian village remembers its Irish ‘father’. I am reproducing that
one here:
Did the artist take too much
liberty or did Murphy’s appearance change in his old age?
Now, the Rubber Board of
India is honouring this pioneer planter. They want to build a memorial at
Murphy’s tomb at the St. Joseph’s Church Cemetery
at Yendayar. The required land has been transferred to the Ribber Board by the
Vijayapuram Diocese.
The following photo shows
the Vicar, Fr. Peter Nelson handing over the relevant documents to Ms. Shiela
Thomas IAS, The Chairperson of Rubber Board. Between them is Dr. J. Thomas,
Rubber board Commissioner.
A new public road is being
built to the Murphy Memorial. A local committee has been formed to assist in
the related activities. The people are proud that Murphy wanted to be buried in
Yendayar to which he contributed so much.
Some time back there was
talk about a movie on the Irishman. But I have not heard anything further about
it.
Let me conclude with this
statement – Murphy ruled over the area. Every one of his people loved him and he wanted to be buried amongst them..
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