Madras Day - Walking Tours

Madras Day, rather Madras week celebrations this year had many heritage walks or walking tours in its agenda.
Two tours which had their appearance for the first time in the week long events schedule, I wish to share with you here.

Walking tours: The unique walk of this year was the Photo walk led by Mr.Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan. I attended the Triplicane walk which started on a Saturday morning from the famed Sri Parthasarathy Temple. We 10 ladies, (6 of the group above 50) thought we will be briefed about the basics of Photography and the locations to be chosen. But strange, Mr. Chandrachoodan categorically said it is a street walk and so no strings attached. Well, me a freedom lover, enjoyed clicking whatever impressed me on the four roads by the side of the tank. As 23rd Aug was Gokulashtami day fruit and flower vendors had started coming up on the four streets. Colourful idols of Lord Krishna of different sizes occupied the street, meant for sale



The ‘Aum Janata’ on the road was very enthusiastic and gave poses for 50 odd people with camera on hand. Apart from people in activity we shoot old buildings, temples, landmarks etc. There was an agraharam by the side of Bharathiar Memorial with a mantap at the centre. Houses with tiled roof tops in natural surroundings with clean air was a relief from the hustle outside on main road

We came to the main road which ‘Kannagi’ will be directing with her index finger, and from there to beach road. Presidency College, PWD, other Government Departments, we passed by where we could capture some wonderful architecture of British era.
We reached Ezhilagam and could see the newly renovated Senate House at Madras University. We were denied permission to take photos inside. We disbursed by 10.10 from there.





The other walk, which also introduced for the first time was Mount Road Walk on 24 th Aug, i.e Sunday, led by Mr. Vincent D’souza one of the key organizers of Madras Day celebrations from the first year, 2004.

We assembled at The Hindu Office at Mount Road by 7.30 in the morning. Being a Sunday, all commercial establishments were closed and we could have a look at the heritage buildings. The intricacies were still preserved in some, namely the Mail building, the P ORR & sons and a nearby building with creepers on the wall and a metal staircase in front, India Silk House, Albot Medical shop in the ground floor of an ancient building,
and also the J E Letoille medical shop near by.

Mr. D’souza gave lots of information and vivid description of the Mount Road Junction where now Anna Statue stands. We could imagine The Hindu Office function at 100, Mount road with Sri Krishna Bhavan and Coronation Darbar Hotels functioning in full swing nearby. How the high society people of yester years combined entertainment, shopping, and refreshments, all in one particular place, that is, Mount Road. He threw light on the famed New Elphinstone theatre, Jaffers Ice Cream parlour and the boxing shows that used to take place, also the private theatre inside the Mount Road Post Office building, which is still preserved and the Philatelic bureau is functioning there now.

We crossed over and came to Musee Musicals where there used to be a Chinese restaurant it seems. We passed the famous Bhuhari Hotel, equally popular was Bilal on the opposite side near Darga.

We halted at the Bharat Insurance Building and were stunned. Though the renovation work is being undertaken whether the grandeur will be preserved is a million dollar question. The Higginbothams book stores is still a treat to our eyes.

The entire row had heritage buildings, like Southern Railway Booking Office, SBI, VST Motors etc. We could also see a small entrance to a Mosque in between these. We visited Murray’s Auction Stores also and finally Agarchand Mansion.

We went up the two storey building and had a fantastic view of the Mount Road Spencer junction.
The tour roughly took 2 hours. Mr. D’souza, who is ever young at heart, could spread the same spirit among the walkers with his torrential speech and no one wanted to miss even a single word.

The Madras day celebrations this year have spread widely this year and north Madras participation is significant.

In the coming years it may grow in geometric proportion and the take-off is going to be very colourful gigantic.
Kudos to the brain behind Mr.Vincent D’souza
(Vincent D'souza in Agarchand Mansion IInd Floor Corridor- Picture)