Friends and long-time associates of architect Tara Murali said that many heritage buildings in the city owed their existence to the courageous worker who passed away recently.  

Speaking at a memorial organised for her by the Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) on Thursday, advocate Sriram Panchu said if there was one thing that he would always remember Tara for, it would be her courage of spirit. She did the right thing, she spoke the right thing. “If the DGP office stands pristine today, it is because of Tara. She backboned the litigation, and she gave the classic key, the photograph of the White House. I remember the function to celebrate the renovated and refurbished DGP office. Tara and I exchanged wry smiles seeing how officers once virulently opposing us were now effusively expressing thanks. When the then Chief Minister wanted to take over Queen Mary’s College for the secretariat, Tara was the strategic voice, which channelled the outrage.”  

Advocate N. L. Rajah recalled how she contributed generously for public causes. Power never intimidated her. The more daunting the task, the more daunting was her resolve to find a solution to it. She had a solution oriented approach to any problem and CAG hugely profited from her commitment and dedication. Importantly, several landmark heritage buildings in Chennai city — Madras University Senate Hall, Bharat Insurance Building and Director General of Police (DGP) office — owe their survival to her.  

Director, The Hindu Group (THG) Publishing Private Limited, N. Ram recalled how when she designed and built the Asian College of Journalism at Taramani, she was very conscious about being cost-efficient and did not allow it to balloon. During the last 18 months, she struggled with a very difficult disease. We had disagreements about her treatment. I suggested lung transplant. But her decision about the treatment was very rational, not going to hospitals unnecessarily, he said. 

Her son, Krishna Murali said Tara was an absolute people’s person. For him and his sister, she was more than a mother. “We called her Tara from a young age. First it was Kantha, and then I followed.” He added: “She had a very special bond with her mother-in-law. She had an incredible sense of humour and an ability to laugh at herself. I don’t think there was work life balance for Tara. She just took it on and managed to balance everything. For much of her work life, she used her lunch hour to go have lunch with her parents. The one thing that she could never get around her head is to why I spent 27 years in banking. She leaves a huge legacy behind. We will all miss her.”

Sujatha Shankar of INTACH spoke about Tara’s organisational skills and her ice creams and kulfies. She said Tara, who was her mentor, advisor and well wisher, never forgot birthdays and anniversaries. Former associates at CAG, Bharath Jayaraj spoke about the focus and passion that she brought to the work and Lawrence Surendra about her love for books.