Renowned architect and activist Tara Murali passed away at her Alwarpet residence on Saturday night at the age of 75. A prominent figure in Chennai’s civic and environmental movements, Tara was widely respected for her dedication to sustainable development and heritage preservation.
An alumna of the University of Madras with a degree in architecture, Tara began her professional journey with a Chennai-based firm before becoming secretary of the Indian Institute of Architects. Her architectural vision extended beyond buildings—she was committed to protecting the character and ecology of the spaces they inhabited.
As vice president of the Palani Hills Conservation Council (PHCC), Tara played a central role in challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s controversial 1994 order that allowed a hotel to build a seven-storey structure in violation of hill area regulations. The campaign, led by PHCC under her guidance, resulted in a landmark Madras High Court judgment that quashed the construction approval.
Tara also served as an advisor to the Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), was on the Governing Council of INTACH, and contributed to urban oversight as a member of the High Court-appointed CMDA monitoring committee. Her work blended architectural insight with civic responsibility, leaving a deep imprint on Tamil Nadu’s built and natural environment.
Source: The New Indian Express
