Chennai: Not often that sectogenarian is described as ‘obsessive work’.
Paramasivam is one other than being a treasure for knowledge about the conservation of inheritance.
On Wednesday morning, the 83-year-old school decision was valued at his expertise by former President APJ Abdul Kalam and Madras High Court Judge, among others, died in his village in Virudhunagar Regency.
Heritage structure in Madras campus of the High Court, Senate House at Madras University, Chepauk Palace and Mahal Humayun are some of the legacy structures that have worked with paramasivam.
Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) involved in Paramasivam in several projects they remember the man as stikger for quality and virtuoso as far as traditional restoration.
“He was never hesitant to make his hand dirty.
Even at his age, he was willing to do physical work to ensure perfection.
He never had formal education, but his technical knowledge of restoration techniques was more than par,” said K Sathyamurthy, engineer supervisor, PWD.
Coming from families involved in the maintenance and recovery of old buildings, Paramasivam took the work of Semah 13 years and had done in seven decades of work.
In a video clip that became viral after his death, the PWD engineer showed a young engineer on traditional methods where paramasivam uses traditional chalk plaster to bind bricks instantly, unlike cement.
“He is a stikler for quality,” said his son, Pandi Pandi who was also a legacy conservation.
“I am 50 years old now and very experienced.
But, to this day, I am more careful with my father to find out whether our team is concessive somewhere with our work,” said Thanga Pandi.
Egg white, curd from cow’s milk – the ingredients used for various aspects of restoration in heritage buildings similar to a healthy diet.
Thanga Pandi remembered that his father always told him that the restoration of inheritance such as applying makeup on the dead and even it must be done perfectly.