The Chennai Photowalk – II
As we came out of the Beach Railway Station, we had two options; one to walk along the Burma Bazaar or cross the Road and walk along many landmarks on the North Beach Road. We chose the second option , used the subway and surfaced in front of the Original Skyscraper of Chennai – TIAM House – Murugappa Group Headquarters, presently known as Jesus Calls Towers.
As we walked further when we neared the General Post Office, a number of Share Autos were mobilizing passengers traveling to North of Chennai.
Share Autos have become an integral part in the life of Chennai residents. It offers an affordable and quick mode of transport. The advantage of Share Auto is that it stops wherever you want to get down. At that time we did not realize that the group will travel in a Share Auto a little later.
General Post Office, Chennai functions from a 116 year old premises. The old GPO building was damaged in a fire in October 2000. Subsequently, a project to construct a new building retaining the facade of the existing building was implemented.
The compound wall of the GPO also doubles as a Bill Board for political parties. You will also find an add on advertisement for Kalaignar TV.
PCOs have not lost relevance in the age of Mobile Phones. On this lazy Sunday Morning the PCO vendor has opened shop and awaiting customers in the pavement in front of GPO.
Next we stopped in front of the SBI Main Branch. This building was once the headquarters of Madras Presidency Operations of RBI and Imperial Bank (later to be known as SBI). The land for this building was bought for Rs 1.00 lakh from the Madras Government in 1895. The Rs.3 lakh-building contract was awarded to Thatikonda Namberumal Chetty, to whom Madras owes many of its public buildings.
The next stop was Dare House. By 1819, a partnership firm named Parry and Dare was founded with Thomas Parry and John William Dare as partners. Parrys Corner, one of the most prominent central business districts of Chennai, derives its name from Thomas Parry. In its existence of over 200 years, presently known as EID Parry is part of Murugappa Group.
In the southwest corner of Dare House, you will find this pillar – Boundary of Esplanade. Refer this report in Hindu to know more about Boundary of Esplanade.
While walking through the Parry’s Corner the AC Volvo Bus of the MTC (21G) crossed us.
We proceeded further to the Anderson Church in the entrance to Thambu Chetty Street. Madras Christian College functioned next to the Anderson Church for about 100 years (1837 – 1937) in the heart of the City before it moved into its sprawling 350 acres campus at Tambaram.
The Chennai Photowalk III will cover the visit to the Armenian Church, the Museum and St Mary’s Church at Fort St George and the share auto ride.
(This post relies extensively on various websites for details on various landmarks in The Chennai Photowalk route)
(To be continued)
I really enjoy your photowalk. Thanks and please keep up your good work!
I really enjoy your photowalks. Thanks and please keep up your good work!
“Share Autos have become an integral part in the life of Chennai residents. It offers an affordable and quick mode of transport. The advantage of Share Auto is that it stops wherever you want to get down. At that time we did not realize that the group will travel in a Share Auto a little later.”
Do not just glorify the share autos. From my experience, 99% of share auto drivers are careless and negligent. Some share autos are not autos… but minivans.
A Great post. Keep it up. Awaiting Photo Walk III
Looks like it was quite a comprehensive walk around Georgetown. Great pics GV.
Very nice sequel. I didn’t know that bit of history about the MCC.
Nice work. We do not take care of my historic monuments that well do we? Buildings like Anderson Church should be given special attention and school children should be taken for trips to teach them about our history. Building are in pathetic conditions (I hate that Xerox shop on the church)
Note – The Boundary of Esplanade picture was distracted by the telephone box. I would have loved it if it had only the structure.
Awesome …. I loved the pics … and photowalk’s a brilliant idea :-)
“Murugappa Group Headquarters, presently known as Jesus Calls Towers.”
Classic example of how Vatican Dollars make things change so rapidly and irrelevantly. Funny how the west is getting rid of religion and we are embracing it even more walking backwards in civilization.
It’s been years I have been to that part of Chennai (Parrys or North Chennai), and very nice to see these pictures here and it also brought back some fond memories. From these pictures, it looks really clean and neat and organized, and I know that it is not, I guess your pictures have made it look clean, excellent pictures to promote Chennai, good work. May I know how you managed it?
Thanks for sharing those photogrpahs. Being far away from our mother land these are the images just keep us in touch with our roots. Keep the good work going….
good post with quite a lot of interesting information…..it´s good to know that Murugappa group moved to a new house….i was once in Tiam house to attend the interview for their overseas scholarship and was quite impressed the way the office and interiors were maintained….ofcourse at that time i didn´t know that i am inside the first skyscraper of chennai though….wonder why they moved from there….
It´s a pity that we do have such classic and old buildings all around us but hiding behind and among all sorts of billboards, advertisements and other things like that telephone box…it would be nice if we have some people who has the sense of beauty and pride in what we have, to design what to put where, in future….
GVB,
Nice photographs once again. Reminds me of my own walking trip last year. Wish I could join you :( At least can do so virtually, thanks
Cheers
SLN