• Introduction
• 1862 TO 1898
• 1899 T0 1908
• 1908 TO 1917
• 1917 TO 1937
• 1938 TO 1947
• 1948 TO 1957
• 1958 TO 1962
• 1962 TO 1972
• 1972 TO 1982
• 1982 TO 1992
• FROM 1993
• 1992 TO 1993
• 1993 TO 1994
• 1994 TO 1995
• 1995 TO 1996
• 1996 TO 1997
• 1997 TO 1998
• 1998 TO 1999
• 1999 TO 2000
• 2000 TO 2001
• 2001 TO 2002
• 2002 TO 2003
• 2003 TO 2004
• 2004 TO 2005
• 2005 TO 2006

» INTRODUCTION

Writing the history of an institution is no easy task, especially when a lot of research has to be made as to how the Institution came into existence. An appreciation of the present and a striving for the future cannot be completely successful unless coupled with adequate knowledge of the past.

The Mount Lodge has irrefutable evidence, duly confirmed by the Grand Lodge of England [on the occasion of its centenary celebrations that it had been in uninterrupted existence from the year 1862. There is however no details available of its Founder members. In fact we presume that Wor. Bro. John Margreth, Master in 1863 must have been the founder Master and continued till he handed over to his successor, the first Senior Warden Bro. B.L. Gordon.

Records show Wor. Bro. H.J. Shaw and Wor. Bro. H.T.Rodgers as Masters of the year 1865, which we must presume must have been a mistake and deduce that while the former was Master of 1864 the latter was Master of 1865.

There is also evidence that though the warrant of The Mount Lodge [No. 926 EC] was issued in 1862, the Lodge had been in existence under another banner from 1797, but having an interrupted existence till 1862, when the warrant was surrendered and the Lodge was reconstituted under a new name. If this were so The Mount Lodge can claim to be more than 200 years old.

The Minutes Book for the period 1862 to 1898 were not available. So the history and work of The Mount Lodge had to be culled from the proceedings and reports, which were quite thorough and in detail about every Lodge in the District, of the Provincial and District Grand Lodge. Also the early volumes of the Madras Masonic Journal were also helpful in this regard. The other publications and reports which helped in writing the history of The Mount Lodge during this period were the Indian Masonic Review, Bro. C.H. Malden's "History of Freemasonry on the Coast of Coramandel'.

During the first 50 years, Masonry itself being in its infancy in this part of India, more importance appears to have been given to the social side of Masonry, as especially the majority of the members were from the Armed Forces.

We shall move on to the period 1862 to 1898
            

» THE FORMATIVE PERIOD 1862 TO 1898

The Mount Lodge 926 EC [now 14 GLI] was constituted by charter granted on 23rd August 1862 by the United Grand Lodge of England.

The Mount Lodge was situate at Saint Thomas Mount, a Military Cantonment, about 12 kilometres from the City of Madras [now named Chennai] on the Grand Southern Highway, very near and before the present Airport.

For a long time the members were from the Military Centre at St. Thomas Mount.

This period of 37 years is to be considered very important since The Mount Lodge played a large part in the development of Freemasonry in this part of the Country.

The only other lodges then existing in the City of Madras were Lodge Perfect Unanimity No 150 EC and Universal Charity No. 273 EC.

John Richard Magreth was the first Master installed on a local warrant dated 24th June 1862 by the Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Macdonald Richie. The consecration and installation of the Founder Master appears to have taken place in the house of W.Bro. Magreth.

The Mount Lodge shifted to an independent building of its own in the year 1883, as can be seen from proceedings of the District Grand Lodge.

The first Indian to be admitted as member was Bro. S Rajagpalachari in 1884

In 1887 the Indian Masonic Review reported that The Mount Lodge was rendered homeless, since its old building had to be pulled down for reconstruction. An appeal was made for funds to he public also and it is also stated that The Mount Lodge intended to run a sweepstake for generating funds for the building.

It is known that the Lodge was rebuilt in 1898 and Wor. Brethren Major CHN Hitchins, John Wicker, Lt. Col. Wilmet and R. Bonner and Bros. Lt Col HH Demla, Lt. Col ER Etches were chiefly responsible for the successful completion of the project. Bro. Etches had designed and supervised the building of the Lodge.

There are no records to show how the funds were raised but it is seen that the Building was valued in 1900 at Rs. 4,500 and its furniture at over Rs. 1,000.

On 7th October 1906 the then District Grand Master Lord Ampthill in his speech congratulated the Brethren of The Mount Lodge for the magnificient structure and complimented them on its being free of encumbrances.

In 1898 the District Grand Lodge had mooted a scheme for the building of a Joint Masonic Temple common for all the Lodges and Chapters in Madras and The Mount Lodge regretted their inability to join, since their members were residents of St. Thomas Mount and it was difficult to hold its meeting at Madras 12 kilometres away.

In 1865 it is seen from the proceedings of the District Grand Lodge that The Mount Lodge was quite inactive over a time but in 1867 the reports say that The Mount Lodge was back in action. The District Grand Master Macdonald Richie took a personal interest in the revival of The Mount Lodge. But in 1872 the Lodge was again pronounced inactive, due to its members being in Military service and frequently transferred.

The proceedings of 1900 reports that The Mount Lodge "was almost broken up" The Master and some other officers had gone to War in China and the Secretary had gone to Nicobar Islands.

In 1867 the District Grand Lodge took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Presidency College and The Mount Lodge participated through its Master W.Bro. AJ Filgate and other brethren.The procession of Mason proceeded from the PWD Buildings at Chepauk to the site and were received by the Governor of Madras.The DGM after laying the Foundation Store, poured corn, wine and oil over the stone with proper ceremony.

W.Bro. Charless Scott, a member of The Mount Lodge, was Secretary of the District Grand Lodge from 1865 to 1868. He was succeeded by W.Bro. JT Greaturox, also a member of The Mount Lodge, and was Secretary of the District Grand Lodge from 1868 to 1901, a period of 33 years. He was presented a Gold Secretary Jewel in recognition of his services.

W.Bro. RW Cunliffe, a member of The Mount Lodge, was appointed Deputy District Grand Master in 1882.

W.Bro. CMJ Moore, Master of 1882, was appointed Deputy District Grand Master in 1886 and held that office till 1888. W.Bro. Moore had the unique honour and privilege of installing two Governors of the Province of Madras as District Grand Master: Lord Connemara in 1888, whom he succeeded as District Grand Master in 1891 and installed Lord Amphthill, Governor of Madras, as District Grand Master in 1901.

» THE DECADE 1899 T0 1908

During this period the Lodge went through difficulties organizationally, since the members were mostly members of the Armed Forces and so were on frequent Transfers, resulting in paucity of brethren to work the Lodge.

W.Bro. Temple was the Master of the Lodge for 4 years and rendered yeoman service to the continuance of the Lodge and its rituals during this period. The paucity of members was so great that on 1st January 1902 meeting Bro. Anjera had to conduct the Lodge acting as Junior Warden and the 5th November 1902 meeting was conducted by Bro. Fitch Junior Warden. Several Past Masters of Lodge St George and the other City Lodges came to the rescue and officiated at many meetings as Master.

W Bro. Cranshaw was invited by W.Bro. Temple to visit and assist him in the conduct of the Lodge till a Master was elected in his stead, and finding that there were no possibilities of any past warden or past master being available for election as Master, W.Bro. Cranshaw had to be elected and installed as Master of the Lodge in April 1903, when the membership was fourteen active and seven absentee brethren. It is seen from the minutes of this year that not only Brethren from city Lodges visited the meetings but took active part in the ceremonies of the Lodge.

The First Indian Brother of Military Rank Col. Chatterjee was installed in 1904, but he was transferred to Belgaum. Nevertheless W Bro. Chatterjee took leave for three months and attended to Lodge affairs.

W.Bro. Parsons succeeded him and during his period 1905-1906 the date of the meeting of The Mount Lodge was changed from first Wednesday of each month to the first Saturday of each month. There were 28 ceremonies during his Mastership and the membership was 38. It was during his mastership that the names and addresses of the Officers of the Lodge and the names of the members were printed on the back of the summons. of each meeting. It was also during his period that the Lodge's bank monies of Rs. Six Hundred and pice nine was lost on the failure of the Banking Firm Arbuthnot & Co.

During this decade it was the practice to present Jewels not onl;y to the Past Master but the Secretary and Treasurer as well.

R.Wor. Bro. Lord Amphthil, District Grand Master and Governor of Madras Presidency visited the Lodge on 7th December 1905. In his address he congratulated the resilience shown by the members and officers of The Mount Lodge in their having brought the Lodge back into action after a very dismal period of inaction.

» THE DECADE 1908 TO 1917

The first five years of this decade saw the transformation of The Mount Lodge from a military lodge to a civilian lodge, due not to any deliberation but by accident, in that many Brethren were to go out of Madras on duty with the advent of the World War I.

W Bro. Williams, Murch and Webster [1909 to 1912] did their very best which enabled this transformation. Attendance also by visitors was note worthy and there appeared to have been great felicity among the Brethren.

In 1943 W.Bro. Murch wrote from England to Bro. Samuel, at Madras about The Mount Lodge in his days [1909 1912] in the following words:

"In those days cars were not in common use. We. Members of the Lodge residing at Madras on the 1st Saturday of every month hired carriages and drove out to Mount in a stylish procession of `12 or more pairs of horse-drawn carriagesand those owning their `turnouts' also followed. After passing Marmalong Bridge, racing of the conveyances to be the first to arrive at the Lodge was indulged in. On our Journey we sought other Masons from their bungalows and insisted upon their coming with us as our guests. In any installation over 200 sat for the Banquet. The milder guest and members would not depart till 2 a.m. on Sunday morning while the `full flavoured' stayed on to return to Madras in the daylight to be in time for breakfast. I have on several occasions during the hot months of May to July in evening dress and with an overcoat, cycled from Egmore to the The Mount Lodge to attend meetings."

During this period the membership registered a steady increase from 34 to 44 and there were not less than 30 ceremonies each year. In 1911-1912 there were 43 ceremonies.

During the month of August 1908 the Master, W.Bro. S.V. Cavannagh intiated, passed and raised Bro. Herbret Aubrey at one week intervals exercising his powers under Rule 185 of the B of C!

It was in 1912 that the Bye-laws were amended providing for th Installation of the Master and investiture of his Officers in the meeting of November each year instead of that in May each year.

It was also during this period that the number of Military members came down to a bare three while the civilian membership rose considerably. Prominent men in Society joined The Mount Lodge.

To name a few: T.Prakasam [called as Andhra Kesari], Paul Appasami [the Eucationist]

W.Bro. M. Sreenivasa Mudaliar, initiated on 4.8.1909 was installed the First Indian Civilian Master for the year 1912 [50 years after consecration]

At his installation, W, Bro. Higgs, the Deputy District Grand Master observed" The Lodge has now entered an era of financial stability. The bye-laws were excellent and a model for other lodges to copy".

In 1913 Bro. T. Hari Rao became the first Indian to be Secretary of The Mount Lodge.

The Raja of Venkatagiri was initiated on 7-7-1917 in The Mount Lodge, who later became known for his contribution to Freemasonry in General and to The Mount Lodge in particular.

» THE TWO DECADES 1917 TO 1937

This period, which was between two world wars, is important in the history of The Mount Lodge since it may called the "Raja of Venkatagiri" period, a period of great consolidation and giant strides.

Soon after his initiation on 7-7-1917 he was made Senior Warden in November 1917 and elected Master in 1918. Even after his mastership he continued as an active member till his death in 1937.

The plans of the Lodge to build a first floor to its building fructified thanks to the help of the Raja.
The minutes of the meeting on 2nd February 1918 shows that the estimate was Rs. 10,500 and while the Lodge contributed Rs. 2500 and proposed to raise Rs. 6000 by issue of interest free debentures the Raja donated Rs. 2000. At his installation in November 1918, the Raja announced that he would advance a loan of rs. 6000 and the brethren need not go for debentures. There is no record in the Lodge to show whether and if ever the loan of Rs. 6000 was repaid. Thus it may said that the upper story of the building was practically a gift to the Lodge by the Raja.

During the construction of the first floor, the Lodge met by dispensation in a temporary Masonic Hall in Commander-in-chief Road, Madras till 1919.

W.Bro. Raja of Venkatagiri donated a handsome amount of Rs. 15,000 towards the construction of the Freemasons' Hall at Egmore by the District Grand Lodge. Accepting this donation the then District Grand Master R.W.Bro. L.E. Blakely, said that :"some part of the building [he could not say which particular part would be named after the generous donor to commemorate the occasion". But this undertaking however never came to be honoured.

The Raja entertained the Brethren after the function of laying the foundation stone of the Freemasons' Hall at Egmore.

On the official opening of the new Freemasons Hall at Egmore on 27th February 1925, the District Grand Master once again acknowledged the munificence of the Raja as well as the equally sizeable contribution of Rs. 15,900 made by The Mount Lodge to the building funds, under the Stewardship of W.Bro. S A K Jeelani.

In 1927 a Grand Lodge deputation headed by the Rt. Wor. Bro. Lord Cornwallis visited India. The District Grand Lodge decided to have a third degree ceremony worked by all the Masters of the City Lodges and W.Bro. E A Baynes represented The Mount Lodge. The ceremony was acclaimed as of a high class.

During this period 1917 to 1937 apart from the contribution of the Raja of Venkatagiri and W.Bro.Jeelani Sahib the other worthies who presided over the lodge were W.Bro. Thiruvengadathan Chetty, partner of Hoe and Co, [1921-22] W.Bro. T. C. Adhikesavulu Pillai [1920-21], W.Bro. S.V. Devadasan [1923-24], W.Bro. S.W. Samuel [1929-30], W.Bro. T.G. Damodara Mudaliar [1934-35] and W.Bro. T.S. Varadachari [1936-37].

W.Bro. T.S. Varadachari was a ritualist who insisted on such perfection that on 6.2.1937, when Bro. Rose a candidate for passing did not answer the questions before passing he passed him out to come again at the next meeting! He also was the first member of the Lodge who initiated on 6.5.1939 his son, who later became the 100th Master W.Bro. T.S. Chintamani, It was during his Mastership that the Lodge suffered a great loss when the Raja of Venkatagiri was called to the Grand Lodge above.

During these two decades the records show that apart from the great achievements of the members as set out above, the Lodge also had certain unpleasant and unfortunate incidents during this period.


In 1912 the Bye-laws of the lodge where amended making provision for the Constitution of an inquiry committee to ensure that persons to be admitted were fit and proper to be made masons.

Notwithstanding this, on more than one occasion in the Lodge during this period there was black balling of candidates, in some cases leading to withdrawal of the proposals by the proposers. This found a place in the observations made by the Deputy District Grand Master when he attended the regular meeting of the Lodge on 3rd September 1922.

In the year 1920 Bro. M. Jagadeeswaran, a Dental Surgeon of Madras, was charged by the Master with unseemly conduct, since even before the meeting he told the brethren assembled that he was going to black ball the candidate of the evening. He was charged with several other unmasonic conduct. He neither explained nor apologized with the result that the mater was referred to the District Grand Lodge, which advised placing the case before the Lodge for a decision.

At that juncture the Brother withdrew all his allegations and the Lodge dropped further proceedings. He indulged again in allegations against the brethren of the Lodge in 1932 and on 3.12.1932 he was excluded.

On 2nd April 1927 the Lodge passed a resolution that Bro. K.H. Knight be directed to resign his membership from the Lodge for his undesirable and insulting behaviour at the dinner table after the meeting on 5th March 1927. He later apologized and was let off.

An unusual event in the Lodge was the initiation of Bro. A.G. Appasami, who was the personal clerk of the then Revenue Member of the Government, Tr. Wor. Bro. Archibald Campbell, the then District Grand Master, who attended the initiation and gave the charge after Initiation

» THE DECADE OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

By this time The Mount Lodge had completed 75 years and was approaching its centenary. During the period the Lodge had the benefit of the guidance and leadership of able and distinguished Masons.

The brethren of the Lodge had by now started to concentrate in perfection of rituals and ceremonies. W.Bro. M.J. Santhana Krishna Pillai Master of 1937-38 was known for his zeal and assiduity.

He was succeeded by Dewan Bahadur Wor. Bro. R.V. Krishna Iyer, [1938-39] who was Secretary of the Legislative Assembly. A good ritualist. Initiated in Lodge Salem on 27th May 1910, he joined Lodge Carnatic in 1913 and joined The Mount Lodge on 4th March 1933. He had looked after the lodge and its affairs at all times, even at the time when the buildings of the Lodge was taken back by the Defence Department and he it was who negotiated and obtained a sizable quantum of compensation. He was Master of The Mount Lodge again in 1952-53.

He was succeeded the first time by W.Bro. G.A. Daniel, [1939-40] but since W.Bro. Daniel had to shift to Nagpur, W.Bro. R.V. Krishna Iyer had to hold office of Master as IPM-in-charge.

W.Bro. T.N.S.Raghavachari, of the King's Institute, ruled the Lodge during 1941-42. It was during his mastership that the District Grand Lodge held its meeting in August 1942 under the banner of The Mount Lodge and at the Temple of The Mount Lodge at St. Thomas Mount. As the meeting was in progress, a huge explosion was heard from the adjacent aerodrome and it was later found that a mishap to a lane was the reason for the explosion. But the District Grand Master Rt. Wor. Bro. Sir George Boag, who was addressing he meeting continued unperturbed!.

W.Bro. Raghavachari initiated his first son Bro. Dr. R. Narasimhan on 6.4.1946 and his second son Bro. R.Dwarakanath, who was Master of The Mount Lodge during 1979-80.

The Lodge was active even through the War Years and functioning regularly at St. Thomas Mount, despite many citizens evacuated the city and had gone to other towns inland. W.Bro. T.A. Srinivasan, initiated in the Lodge on 3.10.1936 was installed Master of 1942-42. He was instrumental in recovering the dividends declared by the Official Liquidator of Travancore National and Quilon Bank, which crashed and the Lodge had lost some of its monies in deposit.

W.Bro. S. Soundararajan, Cinematography Producer of the then famous Tamilnadu Talkies, who was initiated on 18.7.1936 was installed Master of 1943-44. He husbanded the resources of the Lodge by careful and safe investments. He arranged for the ground floor to be rented to a Social Club and consolidated the funds of the Lodge.

In recognition of their services to the Lodge, the portraits of W.Bro. T.A. Srinivasan and W.Bro. S. Soundararajan were unveiled in 1950 when Rt.Wor. Bro. Sir Alexander Macdugal and V.Wor. Bro.S.T. Srinivasagopala Chari, who said in their address "Both T.A.Srinivasan and S. Soundararajn were unostentatious, their services to the Lodge were many and varied and they enjoyed the confidence of their fellow members. They were indeed true Masons in every sense of the word."

W.Bro. Soundararjan had the privilege of initiating his son Bro. K.S. Srinivasan [Later Master 1958-59] on 4.9.1948.

During his mastership, the Lodge witnessed some incidents in relation to election of officers and balloting. The election of the Treasurer for 1943-44 was held in October 1943 and W.Bro. N. Rajagoplan was elected. Some members question the validity of his election, since he was in arrears as on the date of election. The District Grand Lodge, to which the matter was referred upheld the objection but stated that since the brother had paid his arrears he may contest as candidate in the fresh election to be held. However W,Bro, N. Rajagopalan declined to contest the election.

The admission of W.Bro. T.M. Narayanswami Pillai as a joining member was taken up on 4.12.1943, when the Secretary reported that the clearance certificate has not been received from the Brother. On the undertaking given by the Junior Warden that he will ensure their production at a later date, the Master, in consultation with the other Past Masters ordered a ballot, which roved unfavourable. A second Ballot proved unfavourable likewise. On the advise of W.Bro. Manasseh, a ballot was taken for the third time, when it was favourable and he was declared elected a joining member. The District Grand Lodge held an enquiry on a complaint filed to it, and held that the election is invalid for non-production of necessary certificates and a third ballot having been held when two had already roved unfavourable. The Lodge was fined Rs. 25 and the election however was not set aside.

W.Bro. V. Krishnamurthy was installed Master of 1944-45. The members donated liberally for repairs and addition to the furniture of the Lodge. Rt. Wor. Bro. T.V. Muthukrishna Iyer was elected Honorary Member of the Lodge on 7.4.1945, when the Lodge presented him with a gold ring with the crest of Mount Lodge engraved on it.

W.Bro. T.M. Narayanaswami Pillai was installed Master of the Lodge for 1945-46. It must be mentioned that Bro. K.G. Veeraraghavan who was the Senior Warden, stood down to make way for W.Bro. T.M. Narayanaswami Pillai to be installed.

W.Bro. K.G. Veeraraghavan, initiated in the Lodge on 3.2.1940 was installed Master of 1946-47. A good ritualist he continued his membership till he was elected Honorary Member of the Lodge in 1990. He was Secretary of the Centenary Committee of the Lodge in 1962 and laboured hard to bring out the Centenary Volume, after painstaking study of all the old records and minutes books of the Lodge from the year 1862. Rightly he was made Chairman of the 125th Year Celebrations Committee.

» 1948 TO 1957

THE DECADE AFTER INDEPENDENCE

Bro. N. Rangachari succeeded W.Bro. K. G. Veeraraghavan as Master of 1947-48. The attachment commitment of the Lodge to Truth was amply illustrated at the meeting of 7.2.1948. Despite the fact that a mason should abstain from every topic of political discussions, The Mount Lodge passed a resolution expressing grief and sorrow at the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30.1.1948 and its sense of great loss sustained by mankind in general and the country in particular. Except passing of the minutes.of the previous meeting, the Lodge did no other business but closed for the day.

The meeting of 5.6.1948 was adjourned for want of quorum, and no further details are available from the books, except the cryptic remark in the Minutes that the Lodge is adjourned for want of Quorum.

W.Bro. N. Rangachari installed W.Bro. V.T.S.Raghavan as Master of 1948-49. Though employed in Pondicherry, W.Bro. Raghavan, in his zeal anf enthusiasm for Freemsonry, was very regular in attending the monthly meetings of the Lodge. The District Grand Master , unveiling his portrait said "Bro. Raghavan has had 23 years of Masonic service and he had been a live wire in Freemasonry."

Bro. Jitten Banarjee, a cinemotographer and Director, occupied the Eastern Chair during 1949-50. Of him it has been said by the then District Grand Master "there cannot be a truer mand and Mason." In his Inspection report on 2.10.1948, W.Bro. Srinivasagopalachari remarked that the gavels and working tools of The Mount Lodge were crude and "reminiscent more of operative masonry" Bro. P.N. Sundararajan, the Junior Warden gifted a set of gavels and working tools to The Mount Lodge. In his inspection report of 8.11.1948 W.Bro. Srinivasagopalachari remarked "the best reward for the Inspecting Officer is the satisfaction that he receives on seeing his suggestions have been seriously received and promptly given effect to.

" W.Bro. P.N.Sundararajan succeeded W.Bro., Jitten Banerjee as Master for 1950-51. Initiated on 1st April 1944 he was installed on 4.11.1950, by the District Grand Master Rt. W. Bro. T.V. Muthukrishna Iyer. During his period The Mount Lodge registered a record progress in all aspects. There were 17 initiationa, 13 passings, and 9 raisings. The Lodge reported "NIL" arrears at its annual meeting! This was made possible only by the Master and Bro. K.S.Srinivasan going to the Brethren door to door collecting their dues.

Rt. W. Bro. Sir George Boag, the then District Grand Master, said at the Installation meeting of The Mount Lodge in 1942 "It is no kindness to a brother to let him run up arrears till he has difficulty in clearing them. The true kindness is to compel him to pay regularly and promptly and the Master should not jhesitate to enforce the bye-laws of the Lodge in cases of persistent default." This message had been the guiding light of the Treasurers and Masters of The Mount Lodge since then.

During this period the finances of the Lodge improved very well with the result, it spent money on improvement of the building and facilities. It also donated a sum of Rs. 2000 to the Madras Nursing Home Project. Of which The Mount Lodge became a Founder Member.

W.Bro. P.N.S. Raman succeeded W.Bro. Sundararajan as Master of 1951-52. The Mount Masonic Study Circle was formed and inaugurated on 19th January 1952 by Rt. Wor. Bro. T.V.Muthukrishna Iyer, with W.Bro. Sundararajan as President and Bro. K.S. Srinivasan as Secretary.

At the District Grand Lodge Meeting of that year held at Mysore, the District Grand Master said" The Masonic Study Circle, inaugurated by me earlier this year, is functioning well and there are now 150 members. It transaction are printed and sold at two annas each. The papers are instructive and thought provoking.

" This study circle worked actively for a period of about two years and the n became dormant due o lack of enthusiasm among the junior Brethren.

W.Bro. P.N.S. Raman handed over the gavel to W.Bro. R.V,. Krishna Iyer, as Master of 1952-53 for the second time. His contribution to the Lodge as Master and as member has been incalculable.

W.Bro. Dinshaw Tehrani, a cinematographer succeed as Master for 1953-54, with W.Bro. Jambu Ramaswamy Iyer, a senior Mason of the City, as Treasurer and Bro. K.S. Srinivasan as Secretary. The Lodge was recoirded by the Inspecting Officer to have kept and preserved its records in an excellent manner and that he had no complaints against the Lodge or its working.

W.Bro. S.P.S. Rajan was Installed as Master for 1954-55 of whom the District Grand Master said "his transparent sincerity of purpose and deliberate and measured manner of rendering rituals show that he will work with understanding and precision." And work so he did.

W.Bro. V. Kunjithapatham succeed him as Master of 1955-56 and held the office with due dignity and contributed to the increase of membership. The Lodge continued its even growth during the next year under the Mastership of W.Bro. S.T. Narasimhan [1956-57]. During this period the electricity system of The Mount Lodge was changed over from D.C. to AC. The Brethren donated electric light fittings and electric equipment like fans, tube lights etc.

It was also during this period that Bro. E. Cooper, who was sergeant of King's Institute at Guindy, who was initiated on 3.5.1917 and became Junior Warden in 1922, and was a serving Brother and Tyler of The Mount Lodge for 33 years, was called to the Grand Lodge above. The Lodge unveiled a portrait of Bro. Cooper on 4th August 1962.

W.Bro. P A Krishnaswamy was the next to rule the Lodge [1957-58. Bro. K.S. Srinivasan, the Senior Warden, stood down at the request of W.Bro. Krishnaswamy to enable him to occupy the Eastern Chair. and during his stewardship the membership increased and the Brethren donated various articles of furniture to the Lodge.

» 1958 TO 1962

TOWARDS THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

The four years 1958 to 1962 may be considered an important landmark in the history of The Mount Lodge. It was during this period the activities of the Lodge improved as well as increased and many new features adorn this period.

W.Bro. K.S. Srinivasan, was installed Master on 1.11.1958 by his father W.Bro. S. Soundararajan. W.Bro. K.S. Srinivasan took steps to install a well designed Board wherein the names of all Past Masters from 1862 were inscribed. A new Banner of the Lodge was made and unfurled by the Rt. Wor. District Grand Master. The Summons underwent a change in that a maxim "Masonry lives to help men and helps men to live" was inserted above the Crest. He presented the Lodge with a new Master's Collar, with the names of all Past Masters engraved on individual plates fixed in two rows on the Collar. [A third row has been added to this Collar in 1999].

During the period the Master along with his Treasurer went from door to door of every member and collected his dues, and was able to report "NIL" arrears. In fact that year showed an advance of subscription of Rs. 329 collected from members.

W.Bro. K.S. Srinivasan handed over the gavel to W.Bro. E.W.W. King [1958-59] and during his Mastership The Mount Lodge was declared a Founder Member of the Madras Masonic Nursing Home.

Bro. M.K. Sridharan 1959-60] succeeded W.Bro. M.K. Sridharan as Master. A good ritualist and disciplinarian he improved the rituals, cermeonies and working of the Lodge still higher.

W.Bro. M.K. Sridharan had the opportunity to install W.Bro. T. S. Chinthamani, the Hundreth Master of The Mount Lodge on 4.11.1961.

This was also the last Installation of a Mount Lodge Master under the English Constitution, for The Grand Lodge of India was founded that year end. In fact the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India was inaugurated on 9th December 1961. During the period of W.Bro. Chinthamani there were certain events worth mentioning in detail. The summons informing his Installation had a warning at the top of the summons a quotation ascribed to Dr. Oliver which said "Be very cautious whom you recommend as candidate. If you have a good Lodge, keep it select." This however did not appear in the later summonses.

W.Bro. T.N.S.Raghavachari [Master 1941] rejoined as member at the meeting on 7th April 1962, and on the same day he initiated his son Bro. R. Dwarakanath [W.M> 1979]. W.Bro. Chinthamani said on that evening that "Bro. Dwarakanath must consider himself fortunate to be initiated by his father" and recalled his own intitiation by his father W.Bro. T.S. Varadachari [Master 1936] and the initiation of W.Bro. K.S. Srinivasan by his father W.Bro. S. Soundararajan [Master 1943].

Then follows the post centenary years as well as the years under the Grand Lodge of India.

» 1962 to 1972

Bro. M. Rajagopalan was initiated on 2nd October 1948 and he left for his employment outside Madras and returned and rejoined as a Past Warden on 5th April 1958. He was elected by a majority [Bro. A. Sarangapani the Senior Warden of 1960 contesting], Master for the year 1962-63. During his period The Grand Master MW Bro. Bhogilai Shah and Grand Secretary R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram were elected Honorary Members of the Lodge. All the three degrees were worked by W.Bro. M. Rajagopalan at the meeting of January 1963. The subscription, which till then was Rs. 3 p.m was increased to Rs. 5 p.m.

The Mount Lodge sponsored and petitioned a new Lodge "Lodge Bharathi" at Pondicherry.

Bro. A. Sarangapani succeeded W.Bro. Rajagopalan as Master for the year 1963-1964 and was installed on 2nd November 1963. However, unfortunately he was summoned to the Grand Lodge Above in June 1964 and W.Bro. Rajagopalan had to hold office of Master as the IPM. During this period the Lodge agreed to recommend the formation of a new Lodge under the name of "Vidya".

The collection of a donation of Rs. 50 from the candidate at the time of initiation to the Steward's Fund was discontinued.

On the death of the Tyler Bro. W.M. Subramaniam [SB] in this year, W.Bro. E.W.W.King [Past Master of the Lodge] was appointed Tyler of the Lodge and he continued as such till 1967. W.Bro. S.K. Ramanujam succeeded as Master for the year 1964-1965. Initiate of the Lodge [ 7.2.1953] he was installed on 7th November 1964.


Since communications from the Grand Lodge were to be read at the first time of rising, the usual item in the summons till then of "Reading Communications from the Grand Lodge " was discontinued.

The year 1965-1966 was an year marked with many ceremonies and addition of ten members. W.Bro. G.T. Watts [initiated on 2.4.1955] was installed Master on 24.11.1965. The Regional Grand Lodge was held at Madras under the Banner of Mount Lodge.

The Defence Department of the Government of India resumed their title to the land ion which The Mount Lodge had its Building and Temple and compensation was fixed. The death of W.Bro. Soundararajan, and that of the First Grand Master MWBro. H H Sri Syed Raza Alikhan, Nawab of Rampur were condoled by the Lodge. Also the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

W.Bro. K.G. Veeraraghavan was presented the Long Term Service Jewel for completing 25 years in Freemasonry.

The Mount Lodge commenced holding their Lodge meetings at the Free Masons' Hall from the meeting of June 1966.

Three Fellow crafts were by dispensation raised at an emergency meeting on 11.7.1966. The Master initiated, passed and raised TWO candidates in each degree at the meeting of 3rd September 1966. In all there were 28 ceremonies during this period.

W.Bro. V.R. Selvaraj [initiated on 1.1.1956] occupied the Eastern Chair during the year 1966-1967. Mention must be made of the fact that at the Installation of W.Bro. Selvaraj the Maser Elect was obligated and then the Lodge was opened in the second and then the thirds degree and the Board was then constituted. The Mount Lodge resumed its meetings during the year from February 1967 at a house at St. Thomas Mount rented by Bro. Satyendrakumar's family.

W.Bro. Carter [who joined The Mount Lodge on 6th August 1955] succeeded W.Bro. Selvaraj as Master for the year 1967-1968 on 4th November 1967 at the Freemason's Hall Egmore. The Lodge proposed at one of its meeting to maintain a Bed in the Voluntary Health Services Hospital Adayar but it does not appear to have been followed up. Bro. J.S. Moore [SB] was elected Tyler in the place of W.Bro. King.

W.Bro. R.S. D' Monte [initiated on 1.3.1958] was installed Master for the year 1968-1969 on 2nd November 1968 at Free Masons' Hall, Egmore. Dispensation was sought for and obtained to raise four Fellow crafts but only two turned up and were raised at the January 1969 meeting.

The installation of the Grand Master M.W. Bro. M.S. Thacker took place at the Grand Festival held on 9th January 1969 at the Rajaji Hall, Madras. MW The Grand Master attended the meeting of the Lodge on 10th March 1979, when W.Bro. Rajagopalan initiated his son Bro. R. Kalidasan.

The death of the President of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain was condoled. R.W. Bro. Sir George Boag, who was District Grand Master of Madras prior to 1960, and Honorary Member of The Mount Lodge passed away in May 1969 at Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Lodge petitioned the formation of Lodge Srinivasa Gopala, which was consecrated in August 1969. The Lodge amended its Byelaw enabling its meetings to be held at the Free Masons' Hall Egmore.

The brother who succeeded W.Bro. D`Monte was W.Bro. T.K. Doraiswamy, who rejoined as a member on 4th May 1967. He was installed Master on 1st November 1969.

The Lodge condoled the death of Deputy Grand Master RWBro. Dr. P V Cherian.

After 43 years of membership of The Mount Lodge, W.Bro. V.A. Muthiah Thevar at the age of 92 passed away.

Visiting Brother Bro. Raja of Lodge Post of Bombay No. 153 suddenly took ill, during the meeting and he was attended to immediately and taken out and restored by Bro. Dr. M.S. Ekambaram. Bro. Raja returned later during the meeting. W.Bro. K.D. Carter, Treasurer died in April 1979 and W.Bro. V.R. Selvaraj was appointed and invested for the remaining period.

Bro. K.Vasudevan, a member of the Lodge, was installed Master of Lodge Srinivasagopala No., 190. There were 31 Ceremonies during the year, most of them performed by the Master W.Bro Duraiswamy.

Bro. C.N. Ramanujam [initiated on 5.8.1961] occupied the Eastern Chair for the year 1970-1971. He was installed on 8th November 1970.

The Lodge donated its old furniture at St. Thomas Mount to Lodge Col. Choudary No. 201 at Guntur for a token consideration of Rs. 300.The Lodge at one of its meeting resolved to form a Charitable Trust with the amount of Rs. One Lakh, resulting from the compensation paid by the Defence Department of Government of India. This was not done much later.

Bro. V. Somasundaram, who joined The Mount Lodge on 2nd June 1966 was installed Master for the year 1971-1972 on 6th November 1971.

The Regional Grand Lodge held its Annual Investiture meeting under the Banner of The Mount Lodge on 13th February 1972.

At this meeting Grand Lodge Donor Jewel was presented to the Lodge. And at the same meeting the Master W.Bro. Somasundaram was conferred the rank of Regional Grand Steward. W.Bro. M. Rajagopalan was conferred the rank of Past Grand Junior Warden in March 1972. At a Joint meeting of all City Lodges on 27th April 1972, the Grand Master invested the Order of Service o masonry [OSM] on R.W.Bro. Chief Justice K. Veeraswamy, The Regional Grand Master.

» 1972 to 1982

Bro. V. Dorairaj initiated on 2.7.1966] was installed Master for the year 1972-1973, at the meeting held on 8th November 1972. Ritual Working Competition among all Lodges in the Region was introduced. R.W. Bro. M. Rajagoplan was felicitated on his 60th Birthday and the Lodge made a token presentation.

Bro. Dr. S. Ramachandran, initiated on 7.8.1965] was installed Master for the year 1973-1974,at a meeting held by dispensation on 28th November 1973, since he was convalescing after an attack of jaundice. The meeting of December falling on 1st December was therefore held again by dispensation on 11th of December 1973. The Lodge resolved to increase the Tyler's fee to Rs. 25 p.m. from Rs. 20 p.m. The Lodge also considered a proposal to raise the subscription from Rs. 5 p.m. to Rs. 10 p.m. but was not pursued.

R.W.Bro. R.V. Krishna Iyer, Past Master twice [1933 & 1952] passed away during the year.

Bro. N.P. Sarathy [initiated on 4.3.1967] was installed on 2nd November 1973 as Master of Lodge for the year 1974-1975. The Lodge resolved to apply for constitution of a new Lodge under the name of "Mount Charity" at its March 1975 meeting.

Three Fellow crafts were, by dispensation raised at the July 1975 meeting. Bro. M.S. Ekambaram initiated on 3.9.1966, was installed Master for the year 1975-1976. During this year there were sixteen ceremonies done by the Master. The Lodge felicitated Bro. M. Saravanan, on his appointment as Sheriff of Madras. The Mount Lodge celebrated for the first time the Ladies` and Childrens` Nite on 7th August 1976 and it was well attended and also appreciated by the Brethren, Visitors and their family.

The Lodge submitted its Petition for formation of the new Lodge "Mount Charity" to the Grand Lodge of India.

The Lodge took part in the Regional Grand Lodge Ritual Working competition. Bro. S. Ramaswamy, initiated on 4.2.1967, was installed Master for the year 1976-1977 on 6th November 1976. The Lodge celebrated the Ladies` and Childrens` Nite on 6th August 1977. The Lodge resumed the practice of having the meeting of the Election [October] Meeting as the Past Masters' Nite when all Past Masters of the Lodge would take the offices and conduct the ceremony of the evening. The Lodge also participated in the Regional Grand Lodge Ritual Working competition.

Past Masters W.Bro. P A Krishnaswamy [1957] and W.Bro. T N S Raghavachari [1941] passed away. Bro. R. Kalidasan, initiated on 10.3.69] was installed by his father R.W. Bro. M. Rajagopalan on 5th November 1977 as Master for the year 1977-1978.

Lodge Mount Charity No. 232, with W.Bro. M.S. Ekambaram as Founder Master, was consecrated on 6th January 1978, when three Grand Masters, namely of Belgium, China and Western Australia attended and participated in the consecration of the new Lodge along with the Grand Master of India M.W.Bro. D.P. Madon.

The Lodge held a Funeral Lodge Service on 5th August 1978 jointly with Madras Masters' Lodge, for R.W.Bro. P.S.Jambu Ramaswamy Iyer, member and later Honorary Member of the Lodge, who passed away.

M.W.Bro. C M F Jennings, District Grand Master of Sri Lanka visited the Lodge. Bro. V. Swaminathan initiated on 6.4.1968] succeeded W.Bro. Kalidasan as Master of the Lodge for the year 1978-1979. He was installed on 4.11.1978.

The death of MWBro M.S. Thacker, Past Grand Master and Honorary Member of the Lodge, in June 1979 was condoled at the meeting on 7th July 1979 and the Lodge closed without any further ceremony. The Lodge participated in the Ritual working competition. Past Master PNS Raman passed away.

Bro. C.M. Gopal was installed Master of Lodge Mount Charity NO. 232. Bro. Dwarakanath, initiated on 7.4.1962 and rejoined on 3.7.1973, was installed on 13th November by dispensation, for the year 1979-1980. W.Bro. T N S Raghavachari Rolling Trophy for the best ritualist Junior Brethren of the Lodge was instituted. Bro. Vijay Rangachari won the trophy for the year. All the three Degrees were worked at one meeting when two candidated were passed in each degree.

The Lodge celebrated the Ladies` and Childrens` Nite. Bro. R. Ramachandran was installed Master of Lodge Mount Charity. The Lodge entered the ritual working competition and W.Bro. R.Dwarakanath was adjudged winner of the Second Best Master Trophy for th Region tied along with W.Bro. Arun Chinthopanth of Lodge Bangalore. Bro. T.K. Ramachandran received a Certificate of merit as Senior Deacon. There were twenty-two ceremonies.

Bro. G.S. Malhan, Bro. A. Rajarathinam and W.Bro. S. Ramaswamt [PM 1976] passed away during this period.

Bro. R. Vaidyanathan initiated on 4.9.1971 was installed Master for the year 1980-1981 on 1st November 1980. The Past Masters of the Lodge delivered the charges to the Master, Warden and Brethren on the night of Installation.

W.Bro. Vaidyanathan left India on foreign assignment and as Immediate Past Master, W.Bro. Dwarakanath held the Lodge from January 1981, during which period fourteen ceremonies were conducted.

The Lodge presented Long Term Service Award and Jewel for forty years to W.Bro. C N Sugananda Mudaliar and for Twenty Five years to V.W.Bro. K.G. Veeraraghavan. W.Bro. Mudaliar gave a donation of Rs. 1001 to the Charfity Fund.

Bro. Mani Shankar won the Trophy for the in-house ritual competition for the year 1980. Bro. Satyendrakumar was installed Master of Lodge Mount Charity 232.

Consequent upon his illness and age, Bro. J. S. Moore resigned and Bro. N. Panduragnagn [SB] was elected Tyler for the year from 1980.

W.Bro. N.Sridhar [Past Master of Lodge John Miller] was installed Master of The Mount Lodge on 7th November 1981. The Past Masters of the Lodge delivered the charges to the Master, Warden and Brethren on the night of Installation.

The Past Masters' Nite and Brethren Nite were held. Bro. S. Krishnan won the Trophy for the in-house ritual competition for the year 1981. Bro. K.R. Motilal was installed Master of Mount Charity No. 232. Bro. T K Ramachandran succeeded W.Bro. Sridhar as Master for the year 1982-1983 and was installed on 6th November 1982. The Past Masters of the Lodge delivered the charges to the Master, Warden and Brethren on the night of Installation.

Funeral Lodge service was conducted on 4th June 1983 for W.Bro. R.G. Rajan a member of the Lodge.

W.Bro. S.A. Subramoney initiated his son S.S. Prasad along with K. Lakshman Rao, brother of W.Bro. Satyendrakumar. Bro. K. Satyanarayana, son of W.Bro. Satyendfrakumar was also intiated. W.Bro. Satyendrakumar. was felicitaed on his completing 20 years of service.

W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath was installed Master of Lodge Mount Charity. No. 232. R.W.Bro. T K Duraiswamy was felicitated on his being made an Honorary member of Jonson City Lodge, Tennessee, USA.

Bro. S. Krishnan won the Trophy for the in-house ritual competition for the year 1981. Bro. S. Krishnan won the Trophy for the in-house ritual competition again for the year 1982.

» FROM 1982 TO 1992

[THE THIRD DECADE]

Bro. K. Rama Rao, [initiated on 4.9.1976], brother of W.Bro. K. Satyendra Kumar was installed on 5th November 1983 as Master of the Lodge [1983-84]. Bro. S. Krishnan received a certificate of merit for the Grand Lodge Essay Competition 1983. Bro. S.S. Prasad won the in-house ritual competition. Ladies night was celebrated on 25.9.1984, when the attendance of brethren, visitors and families was near 100.

Bro. Vijay Rangachari [intitiated on 5.1.1980] was next to take the Eastern Chair as Master for the year 1984-85. He was installed on 5th November 1984. The Lodge commenced publication of its montly newsletter "Mountidings" from December 1984.

The Mount Lodge donated a sum of Rs. 5000 for the renovation of the Freemasons' Hall. The Annual Investiture meeting of the Regional Grand Lodge was held under the Banner of The Mount Lodge.

The lodge constituted a 125th year Committee and a sum of Rs. 5 p.m. from March 1985 till August 1987 was decided to be collected from each Brother towards the 125th year celebrations in 1987. M.W.Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria, Most Worshipful the Grand Master passed away. R.W.Bro. T. Ramaprasada Rao, PRGM, Honorary member of the Lodge passed away.

Bro. ManiShankar was awarded a certificate of merit for Senior Deacon in the Ritual Working Competition 1984. W.Bro. N. Pandurangan, Tyler, was installed Master of Lodge Shanthi, 1985. There were 18 ceremonies during the year. Bro. M. Janakiram [initiated 8.1.1980 succeeded W.Bro. Rangachari as Master for the year 1985-1986. He was installed on 2nd November 1985. W.Bro. T.S. Chinthamani, Hundredth Master of the Lodge, passed away in the 1st week of November and in consequence the Banquet after the Installation meeting stood cancelled.

The Mount Lodge held a Funeral Lodge Service in memory of late W.Bro. T. S. Chinthamani, P.A.G.I.G., P.J.R.G.D was held on 29.11.1985. W.Bro. Satyendrakumar, initiated his two sins Bro. K.C. Appa Rao and Bro. K. Siva Rao. Bro. R. Ganesh [F.C.] was at the request of The Mount Lodge raised by the Madras Masters Lodge at its meeting held on 26.4.1986 at Mysore. W. Bro. R. Dwarakanath attended the meeting and participated in some portion of the rituals.

W.B

» 1992 TO 93
RAMALINGAM SIVACHANDRAN Bro. P.Vishvambar SW Bro.G.Sivaramakrishnan JW WBro. V. Swaminathan Sec. WBro. P.Madhusudan Trea. The Lodge donated Rs.2000 to Maharastra Flood Relief  Fund. 3 Ceremonies:I – 3;P – 0;R – 1.
» 1993 TO 94
PATHALAM VISHVAMBAR Bro. G. Sivaramakrishnan SW Bro.M.N. Ramaswamy JW Bro. R. Dwarakanath Sec. WBro. P. Madhusudan Trea. The lodge donated Rs.2500 to the Madras Masonic Trust. Funeral Lodge Service was conducted for R.W.Bro. M. Rajagopalan, Past Master of the Lodge, who had been called to the Grand Lodge above. 11 Ceremonies: I - 5; P – 6; R – 0.
» 1994 TO 95
GANGADHARA IYER SIVARAMAKRISHNAN Bro. M. N. Ramaswamy SW WBro. T.K. Ramachandran JW WBro. R. Kalidasan Sec. WBro. P.Madhusudan Trea. 25 years Long Term Service Jewels were presented to 5 Brethren: W.Bro. C.N. Ramanujam, W.Bro. Abbas M.A. Haji, W.Bro. R. Dwarakanth, W.Bro. V. Swaminathan and W.Bro. R. Kalidasan. Funeral Lodge Service was conducted for V.W.Bro. K.G.Veeraraghavan, Past Master and Honorary Member of the Lodge, who had been called to the Grand Lodge above. 21 Ceremonies: I – 9;P – 4;R – 8.
» 1995 TO 96
M.N. RAMASWAMY WBro. Abbas M.A. Haji SW WBro. T.K. Ramachandran JW WBro. R. Dwarakanath Sec. WBro. P. Madhusudan Trea. Attendance showed improvement and rituals were done mostly by the officers. 10 Cereminies: I-1;P-4;R-5.
» 1996 TO 97
W.Bro.ABBAS . M.A. HAJI W.M.(136th Master) WBro. T.K. Ramachandran SW Bro. K.S. Sankaran JW WBro. S.S. Prasad Sec.WBro.P.Madhusudan Trea. 60 years LTS Jewel Presentation to Bro. C.N. Sugananda Mudaliar by M.W. the G.M., M.W.Bro. K.L. Reddi on 31.3.1997. Memorial Service conducted on 14.05.97 alongwith city lodges to late R.W.Bro. C.A. Ramakrishnan, O.S.M., P.Dy.G.M., P.R.G.M., called to the Grand Lodge on 20.4.97 No of Meetings:I-1;R-11;E(for 60 y LTS)-1; No of Candidates:I-12;P-8;R-3.
» 1997 TO 98
W.Bro.MAHENDRA SHAH W.M.(13th Master) Bro. K.S. Sankaran SW Bro.V.S. Kylas JW Bro. N.Suryanarayanamurthy Sec. WBro. P. Madhusudan Trea. Joint Meeting of the city Lodges held to feliciatate the Recipient of O.S.M., M.W.Bro. H.P. Mathur, M.W., the G.M., Grnad Lodge of India. No of Meetings:I-1;R-11;E-1 No of Candidates: I-6; P-7; R-10. A. 7th Feb 1998: Initiated 2 brethren and Passed 2 brethren same day. B. 5th Sep 1998: Initiated 1 brother and raised 2 brethren, the same day(attended by Brethren from Lodge Veeraswamy No.200)
» 1998 TO 99
W.Bro. V.S.KYLAS, W.M.(138th Master) Bro. K.S. Sankaran SW Bro. K.S. Sreekanth JW Bro.S.Nandakumar Sec. W.Bro.P..adhusudan Trea. A Joint Meeting of the city lodges held on 28.11.98 to present 25 LTS Jewel to 7 brethren. No of Meeting:I-1;R-11;E-1(25 years LTSJ) No of Candidates:I-6;P-8;R-7. Cookery Contest conducted with other city lodges participation. Car Rally conducted along with Lodge Veeraswamy No.200.
» 1999 TO 2000
W.Bro. K.S. SANKARAN. W.M. (139th Master) Bro. K.S. Sreekanth SW Bro.R. Krishnan JW WBro. N.Suryanarayanmurthy Sec. W.Bro. P. Madhusudan Trea. All three degrees were conducted on the same day,5th Aug,2000. Initiation by V.W.Bro.B.Biswakumar,DRGM as W.M. and passing ceremony by the master of the lodge. Memorial Service conducted for W.Bro. C.N. Sugananda Mudaliar on 21.3.2000 called to the Grand Lodge on 27th Feb,2000. Memorial Service conducted for R.W.Bro. T.K. Duraiswamy along with Lodge Om Vigneshwara 218 on 6th Sep, 2000, called to the Grand Lodge on 11th Aug,2000. No of Meetings: I-1;R-11;E-2(Memorial Service) No of Candidates:I-7;P-7;R-7.
» 2000 TO 01
W.Bro. K.S. SREEKANTH, W.M. (140th Master) Bro. R. Krishnan SW Bro.L. Ramani JW W.Bro. Mahendra Shah Sec. W.Bro. P.Madhusudan Trea. First stage of the RWC cleared. All the three degrees were conducted on 7th July,2001 W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath, W.Bro. R. Venkatesh and the Master respectively were the Masters for the Initiation, Passing and Raising ceremonies. Outstation Meeting held at Salem(Lodge Jyothi)on 4th Mar 2001 and presented a Granite Millenium Clock to the Brethren of Salem. Also attended the Installation Meeting of Lodge Montfort, Yercaud on 3rd Mar,2001. No of Meetings:I-1; R-11;(one in Salem) No of Candidates: I-6; P-5; R-6. W.M. Initiated his father at the age of 89(oldest initiate) into freemasonry.
» 2001 TO 02
W.Bro. R.KRISHNAN, W.M.(141st Master) Bro. L. Ramani SW Bro.V.Subbiah JW Bro. N. Meenakshisundaram Sec. WBro. P. Madhusudan Trea. Article outlining 140 years of Mount Lodge prepared by W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath included as a part of the annual report. 16 fans donated by the Brethren of Mount Lodge during the installation Meeting to the Regional Grand Lodge for fixing in the renovated temples. Bro. B. Rajagopal donated Rs. 5,00,000/- towards Masonic Foundation, the single highest donor amongst individuals for the renovation of the RGL Premises. Bro. Ratinam Pillay Nagaraj donated a giant size mirror, now installed at the entrance of Temple 1, RGL Premises, Chennai. Monthly Newsletter”Mountidings” resumed publication with W.Bro.R.Krishnan as the Editor. No of Meetings:I-1;R-11;E-6(incl 2 memorial service) No of Candidates:1-9;P-4;R-5. Lodge cleared the first stage of RWC. In the second stage our Master was declared the second Best Master in the Region and our Lodge the Second Best Lodge in the Region. WBro. S.S Prasan initiated his son Bro. Arjun Prasad in Jan, 2002 and WBro. R. Kalidasan initiated his son Bro. Kalidasan Gopalakrshnan in May 2002. Lodge Participated in the Freemasons Cricket Tourney for the first time.
» 2002 TO 03
W.Bro. L. RAMANI W.M.(142nd Master) Bro. V.Subbiah SW Bro. K. Kasthuri JW Bro.Lt.Col. Venkataraman Sec. WBro. P.Madhusudan Trea. W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath was awarded ‘Justice T.S.Krishnamurthy Iyer trophy’ for the most dedicated mason among the city lodges by Lodge Harmony 218. Lodge cleared the first stage of RWC(Third year in a Row) W.M.initiated his son Bro. Lokesh Ramani as a Lewis. On 5th Mar 2003. No of Meetings: I-1;R-12;E-3. No of Candidates:I-13;P-13;Raised-4. During the year W.Bro. R.Dwarakanath was appointed and invested by RGM as the Assistant RGM. Already in the past we had two of our brethren as ARGM, namely RWBro. M. Rajagopalan & his son WBro. R.Kalidasan. Joint Meeting of our Lodge, Lodge Mount Charity 232 & Lodge Engineers 240 was held to present 25 years LTS Jewel to WBro. T.K Ramachandran. WBro.Dr.M.S.Ekambaram(P.M.1973)was called to the grand Lodge on 27.01.03 On 26th April 2003, the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Lodge Mount Charity, our daughter lodge took place in the presence of the M.W.The G.M. and the R.W.the RGM Bro. K.S. Sudharsan Rolling Trophy for the Best Article by Master Mason of our Lodge instituted by W.Bro.K.S. Sreekanth, in memory of his father. During the installation of WBro. L. Ramani, the family members were invited to join the festive Board and were shown around the temple. Monthly Newsletter”Mountidings”continued publication with W.Bro. L.Ramani as the Editor.
» 2003 TO 04
W.Bro. V. SUBBIAH W.M.(143rd Master) Bro. K.Kasthuri SW Bro. N. Meenakshisundaram JW Bro. R. Ramanisundaram Sec. WBro. P.Madhusudan Trea. Inter lodge visit made to Lodge Mahamaham 341 on 12th June,2006 Lodge cleared the first stage of RWC(fourth year in Row) Lodge participated in the Freemasons Cricket Tourney, and the combined team of our lodge and lodge Ramaprasad were the winners. Bro. R.Ramanisundaram was awarded “Justice T.S.Krishnamurthy Iyer trophy for the most dedicated mason among the city lodges by Lodge Harmony 218. Last year also this was trophy was received by our lodge(W.Bro. R.Dwarakanath) No of Meetings: I-1;R-11;E-7(incl 2 memorial ser) No of candidates:I-5;P-5;R-6.
» 2004 TO 05
W.Bro. N. MEENAKSHISUNDARAM, W.M.(144th Master) Bro. K. KASTHURI SW Bro. Lt.Col. Venkataramam JW Bro. R.Pariarasu Sec. WBro. P.Madhusudan Trea. Lodge cleared the first stage RWC (fifth year in a Row) Lodge Participate in the cricket tourney as a combined team with Lodge Ramaprasad and was runner up. No of Meetings:I-1;R-11;E-1. No of candidates:I-8;P-4;R-2. W.Bro.G.Madanaraj, was presented 25 years LTS Jewel in the area meet at Rajahmundhry. Bro. A.V.M. Saravanan was presented 40 years LTS Jewel during the installation meet in November. P.C.Members requested W.Bro. L.Ramani to continue as the Editor for “Mountidings”(The publication continues till date, Sep 2006, with W.Bro. L.Ramani as the Editor.
» 2005 T0 06(Data till 11.09.2006)
W.Bro. K. KASTHURI W.M. (145th Master) Bro. S. Nandakumar SW Bro. R. Pariarasu JW W.Bro. g.Madanaraj Sec. W.Bro. P. Madhusudan Trea Lodge cleared the first stage RWC (sixth year in a Row) Lodge Participated in the Freemasons Cricket Tourney, and the combined team of our Lodge and Lodge Ramaprasad were the winners. No of Meetings:I-1;R-10(Includes O/S Meet at Yercaud)E-3(RWC II stage for 2005-06,RWC 1 stage 06-07,40 years LTS Jewel) No of Candidates: I-10;J-1;P-7;R-7. Three candidates passed in the June meeting & Three candidates Raised in August Meeting. Family nite held after almost 3 years in the month of July, 2006. Master,Wardens and Brethren off Lodge Mount Charity 232, our Daughter Lodge joined us in the outstation trip to Yercaud in June,2006. Lodge Bharathi,(Our Daughter Lodge)joined us during the RWC practice sessions and were declared winners in the first stage RWC. They have achieved this distinction after very many years. W.Bro. K. Vasudevan,(P.M. of Lodge Srinivasagopala) was called to the Grand Loge on 18th Aug,2006. 40 years long Term Service Jewel presentation ceremony was held on 11th Sep,2006 jointly by The Mount Lodge, Lodge Mount Charity, Lodge Mahamaham in the presence of the R.W., the RGM, R.W.Bro. G.K. Selvarajan. Our Immediate Past Regional Grand Master R.W.Bro. Dr. Balaram Biswakumar occupied the Eastern Chair during this Joint Meeting.