You have bought back a lot of memories now. It has been 10+ since I visited it, now I remember the 2 statues,
the royal pompous pose of the Minister-Manickavasagar and the same figure replicated as the Adiyar, not only has the dress and pose changed, but the sculptore had bought out the difference in attitude also, while the features remain the same. Amazing work.
Since talks are going on about trips/manickavasagar and thiruvasgam
Thiruperunthurai seems to be a suitable candidate, historically, artisctically, literarily(!) at the current milieu. THough may be tough on people from Chennai to do it over a weekend. Possibilities could be explored.
Imagine listening to Ilayaraja's Oratorio there and then discussing it.