Ramu’s uncle, Sri Krishnaswamy Gounder, owned a growing automobile business in Coimbatore and was the first importer of British cars in Madras (now Chennai). He also imported motorcycles and metal bodies for building trucks and buses. Ramu was eager to join this type of concern. He was proficient in handling engines and machinery, and his uncle gladly brought him into the business as a partner. These were the days just prior to World War II. The partners foresaw a great scarcity of gasoline and, realizing just how dear it would become, decided to produce engines capable of burning other types of fuel—kerosene or charcoal-burnt gas. They thumbed through the issues of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines to find the proper instructions and came up with many “finds.” From their research, they ordered several of a new kind of bicycle and various shiny gadgets for machinery. Neither of the two had any knowledge of welding, something that was necessary for the production of the needed gas plants for the motor vehicles. Ramu decided to travel to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where this training was readily available. He and his uncle began to plan for the trip. Ramu became well acquainted with Ceylon and her culture. He traveled throughout the island, making excursions to various places of religious pilgrimage—the shrines of Kataragama, Munneshwaram and to Adam’s Peak. He studied well and returned to South India to serve as the first expert welder in all of Tamil Nadu.
Later on, Ramu left the automobile business for the cinematographic field as a producer and distributor, traveling to remote villages to promote and project films.
Recent Comments