LIC's United India Building: Historical Landmark at Anna Salai

United India Building (old) situated behind LIC Building at 102, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 002, India (1)

United India Building (old) situated behind LIC Building at 102, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 002, India (2)

United India Building (old) situated behind LIC Building at 102, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 002, India (3)

The LIC Building, a landmark in Anna Salai, houses the Zonal and Madras Divisional Office of LIC , comprise 13 storeys above ground and the basement and sub-basement below the ground. The colonial bungalow standing behind this LIC Building still remains with its heritage and history. The high ceiling structure has tall columns at the front, wide wooden paneling and ornate with stained glasses.

The entire premises measuring about 100 grounds was owned by Garratt, the tailoring firm. In 1883 the entire part and parcel of the land was sold to Lodge of Perfect Unanimity for Rs. 18,000. The Later in 1888, the Lodge sold a portion of the land measuring around 45 grounds and on this land Madras Publishing House was built. Lodge constructed the first floor to hold regular meetings in 1890. In 1905, the remaining 55 grounds were also sold to the District Grand Lodge (Apex body of Freemasonry) for Rs. 80,000. The Freemasons was shifted to its present premises in Egmore in 1916. At the same time the entire premises was sold to Kushaldoss Chaturbhujadoss, a Gujarati business personality for Rs.97,000. The old bungalow was rented to two tenants.  The first tenant was C Radhakrishna Chetty, who founded the Pioneer Laundry  in 1918. The second tenant was Murray & Co, premier auctioneers (established by two brothers Vedantam and Rajam in 1927) who occupied the premises in 1929. Later Kushaldoss Chaturbhujadoss sold it to United Insurance. The auctioneers has now shifted to 4, Norton Road, in Mandaveli. Now Pioneer Laundry remains there and the LIC has rented it out to the laundry people.

Curzon and Company: Colonial Furniture Shop at Mount Road, Madras

Curzon & Co Colonial Furniture Shop @ Mount Road - Ellis Road Intersection

Mr. Chimato Seshachalam the son of Alavandar

George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC (6 Jan 1899 – 18 Nov 1905)

Curzon & Co, the  116 year old furniture dealers and carpenters, is housed in a characteristic  two-story colonial style building at  No 137, Opposite MLA Hostel Near Anna Statue, Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Chennai - 600002. The shop was inaugurated in 1898 by Chimato Alavandar Chetty when Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, the 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, the Viceroy of India visited Madras. This event could have prompted Alavandar Chetty to name the shop in honour of Lord George Nathaniel Curzon. To keep pace with time the family partnership business is managed at present by the members of the fourth generation.  

George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC (11 January 1859 – 20 March 1925),

One can easily findout this oldest surviving furniture shop and the unique signboard, 'Curzon' at the interection of Wallajah Road and Ellis Road. This  imposing colonial style building, with grand front entrances, tall columns, high ceilings, arches, houses the antique rosewood rolltop desks, colonial sofas, huge size rosewood cots and many more teak furniture items.

Mr. Chimato Seshachalam the son of Alavandar was only six years when his father expired. With the support of his maternal family he graduated law and even served in the chambers of V. Krishnaswami Ayyar. Since the family persuaded his presence in the family business, he associated himself in this business. His initiative in specialising in library furniture with the guidance of Dr S. R. Ranganathan, the father of Indian library science, brought name and fame. The Curzon's library furnitures are still in use at Madras University Library, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Madras Medical College, Bishop Heber College (Trichy), Madras Institute of Development Studies, and Pachaiyappa's College. The furniture are also in use at Raj Bhavan, Chennai, government offices in Kurnool and at few residences of people like M.S. Subbalakshmi.

Mr.C.Seshachalam,  popularly known as ‘Curzon Chettiar', established the first saw mill in 1935 in Guindy and brought innovation in his carpentary workshop through mechanized planing, cutting of wood and furniture assembling. Curzons was able to withstand the competition with Spencers and Wrenn Bennett.

Now the legendary furniture showroom has reached its centenary year in 1998 and today most of what remains is Curzon & Co's rich history. 

Reference:   

1. Once, viceregal furniture by S.Muthiah. Chennai. The Hindu Jun 13, 2005
2. Survivors of time: Of time and tables Asha Sridhar Anusha Parthasarathy The Hindu  August 23, 2011

Fourbeck Bridge at Anna Salai Nandanam: Bridges of Colonial Madras

'Mambalam Odaipalam' ("Bridge over the Brook at Mamelon”. )

Enamel Sign Board of the Arcaeological Survey of India (1)

Enamel Sign Board of the Arcaeological Survey of India (2)

Four-sided commemorative pedestal memorialize the history behind the Fourbeck bridge (English)

Four-sided commemorative pedestal memorialize the history behind the Fourbeck bridge (English / Persian)

Four-sided commemorative pedestal memorialize the history behind the Fourbeck bridge (Larin)

Four-sided commemorative pedestal memorialize the history behind the Fourbeck bridge (Tamil)

Madras City Map 1893 Showing the Tank

I am sure many of you might have crossed Jones Road - Anna Salai (erstwhile Mount Road) intersection lying between  Nandanam and Saidapet. But how many of you have ever noticed the  four-sided commemorative pedestal and enamel sign board.

Well the pedestal, in a fenced enclosure measuring about 26 sq.metre, is  located at the State Highways Department’s workshop premises in West CIT Nagar i.e,  just opposite the Nandanam Veterinary polyclinic and adjacent to MC Raja Hostel for men. This monument comes under the care of the Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology since 2003.

The four-sided commemorative pedestal memorialize the history behind the Fourbeck bridge in English, Latin, Persian and Tamil, on its four sides. Strange! Find out more about the history of Fourbeck Bridge.

In English, it reads: “This bridge, erected as a public benefit from a legacy bestowed by Mr Adrian Fourbeck, a merchant of Madras, is a monument useful as lasting of the good citizen’s munificent liberality. It was erected by his executors T Pelling, De Freies, P Bodkin from the plan and under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Pat Ross, Chief Engineer, in the year of our Lord 1786. Major General Sir Arch D Campbell, the Governor of Fort St George.”

'Long Tank' was a huge curved water body lying parallel to the western edge of the Mount Road commencing from Nungambakkam High Road and extending up to Saidapet. Now no traces of this lake could be found. The surplus water from this lake was channelized through the brook (canal) via Mount Road. 'Mambalam Odaipalam' was the small temporary bridge standing on this canal. In 1772 there was  an offer from Andrew Ross, the free merchant to raise the permanent "Bridge over the Brook at Mamelon”.

In 1786, the 'Brook Bridge,' a permanent structure, was constructed by Thomas Pelling, De Fries and P Bodkin. These three Europeans executed the will of Adrian Fourbeck, an affluent business man from Madras. Lt.Col. Patrick Ross, the chief engineer of Madras gave direction to the construction.
Who was Adrian Fourbeck? Adrian Fourbeck was serving as a member of the  Gunroom Crew in Fort St George and in 1740 this kind hearted European was discharged on a disability pension of Pagodas 1-14-0. Later he became an affluent merchant through partnership with Samuel Troutback. Fourbeck expired in 1783 and left a will comprising 'terms' for the construction of the bridge. The bridge was named after Fourbeck bridge to commemorate philanthropic contribution of Adrian Fourbeck.

Reference

1. The Fourbeck Bridge by S.Muthiah The Hindu Chennai Jan 07, 2008
2. The sole reminder of long-lost bridge from yore by  V Gangadharan The New Indian Express   May 19, 2011 

Teacher Training College in Saidapet: Heritage Structure Demolished for Metro Rail work

 

The school building that has been pulled down - Picture Source: The Hindu Dt. June 10, 2013

 

The Teacher Training College is one of the oldest such teacher training institutes in Asia. It was demolished for Metro Rail work - Picture Source: The Hindu CHENNAI, May 23, 2013

Teacher Training College in Saidapet,  one of the oldest teacher training institutes in Asia,  affirms its place in history. This historic college commenced its educational activity in 1856 as normal school in Vepery, Chennai. The first principal of this college was JT.Fowler, an English scholar. The college moved to Model Farm Campus in Saidapet in 1889. The alumni of this Teacher Training College include S.Radhakrishnan, Srinivasa Sastri and Ananthasayanam Iyengar.

Picture Source: The Hindu August 13, 2012

The tablet unveiled at the centenary block of the Teacher Training College in Saidapet, in 1956 by  C. Subramaniam, minister of education, expresses its past. Despite its decrepitude and deserted condition by years,  the centenary building has been taken over by Mother Teresa Women's University in 1995 and was named as Institute of Advanced Studies in Education. It was also in use for five years and once portions of the building began to crumble the University was planning to demolish the structure to make way for new building.

 

Last year Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has completely demolished a heritage building in full  – one of the two tier semi-circular brick structure which was exhibiting resplendent colonial architecture  - tall madras roof, arched windows right along its periphery, and reminded us the Ice House at Marina. At present the other buildings are effectively concealed by the vast blue barricade raised by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL).

It is learned from the  Justice E. Padmanabhan Committee Report that this centenary block  of the  Teacher Training College along with the adjoining buildings were declared as heritage structures and rightly classified as Grade I heritage building. The committee has observed that,  “Few of the buildings are maintained fairly while one is in serious deterioration.” Though the  plan to demolish other structures was stalled by the heritage enthusiasts, the future of the building remains uncertain.  It is also apt to quote the committee's report: “The committee with heavy heart points out that neither the public nor the administration nor the authorities are conscious of the value of maintaining the heritage buildings, places of historic importance or aesthetic value and popular places of worship, which is a disappointment. All of them will have to be educated and informed of the values of such historical and monumental buildings. The administration has to change its attitude on these aspects, by appropriate and stringent measures. The committee members are also pained to note that several heritage and ancient buildings have been brought down by the public as well as the authorities and they continue unabated.”

Reference

1. Two Saidapet colleges  The Hindu CHENNAI, September 12, 2011
2. Obscured from view and memory, heritage building has murky future, Asha Sridhar. The Hindu CHENNAI, August 13, 2012
3. Day of demolitions on Anna Salai as the old make way for new Asha Sridhar. The Hindu CHENNAI, May 23, 2013
4. Metro Rail continues bulldozing heritage  June 7, 2013  
5. Bulldozing heritage The Hindu CHENNAI, June 10, 2013

Ornate Doorframes of the Antique Houses in the Lanes of Anna Salai, Chennai

Wooden Carved Door Frame at Boothaperumal Street

 

Wooden Carved Door Frame at Boothaperumal Street - Closeup view

Wooden Carved Door Frame at Boothaperumal Street - Note the Vaishnavite Symbol - Namam



Wooden Carved Door Frame at Boothaperumal Street



 

Wooden Carved Door Frame at Boothaperumal Street - Closeup view

 

Wooden Carved Door Frame at Boothaperumal Street - Closeup view



 

 

Have you ever noticed the arch of the Pachaiamman Temple near Boothaperumal Street (earlier Boothaperumal Naicker Street) around Poompuhar showroom and Makka Masjid on Mount Road?

 

The temple, according to the residents, may be around 300 years old. The old lanes and bylanes remind us the rustic atmosphere. This colony can also be accessed from link road i.e, on the banks of Coovum.

 

The lanes and bylanes located around the temple show rustic houses - low entrances, finely carved teakwood wooden frame panels, the door frames at floor level and lintel level are smeared with turmeric and kumkum dots, raised sitouts or thinnais, small niches to lit oil lamps, One of the door shutter was marked with the Vaishnavite mark, the Namam. 

 

The temple claims that the lanes and bylanes and the housing sites belong to the Pachaiamman temple and the temple authorities are left with no proof to estaablish their claim. However the houses in these lanes are occupied by families for generations. Some of the houses exhibit the cuddappah stone signage claiming rights over the houses.

 

Bombay Lassi: Sweet and Spicy Treat in Ellis Road, Anna Salai, Chennai

Bombay Lassi, popular north Indian 12 x 12 feet kiosk  for its lassi, sweets, samosa and kachori, is located at No. 8, Bahar Agan Street, Ellis Road, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600002 (landmark: just behind Devi Theatre complex). At this narrow road surrounded by slum huts, the shop runs brisk business from morning to late night.

Hot and Crisp Jilebi

One can find two or three north Indians at this shop engaged in frying and stirring samosas, kachori and jilebis.

Kachori with Chutneys

The overwhelming crowd remains there to taste either syrup-dripping gulab jamoons, rasmalais, basandhis or crisp jilebis or palgovas. It is an all time favorite place for hot tasty samosas and kachoris at a nominal price and they disappear no sooner than they make it out of the frying-pan. The spicy potato and peas masala inside the samosa was hot and pungent. The lassi varieties are favorite beverage for many customers and their day is not complete without this lassi. 

Hot and spicy Samosa

Sweet and milky Rasmalai

Your evening treat could be the 50 gm jilebi or rasmalai coupled with the hot samosa is served with hot and sweet chutneys in dried (manthara) leaf cup will be divine and you may end up with sweet or salt lassi. Their speciality is chocolate lassi with full of malai.

This shop has been around for many years now and does brisk business. Previously its name was Brijwasi Lassi and the present name is Bombay Lassi.

Two Horse (Equestrian) statues at Gemini: Chennai Statues

Two Horse (Equestrian) statues at Gemini Chennai, a photo by Muthusamy Photostream on Flickr.

Two equestrian (Horse) statues were installed during 1970s at Anna (Gemini) flyover, Chennai. This statue is facing towards Uthmar Gandhi Salai (or Nungambakkam High Road) and the other one towards Cathdral Road. These two equestrian statues were installed to commemorate the abolition Horse Race in Chennai.

There are people to believe that the man taming the horse has some resemblance with Vandhiya Thevan, the hero of Kalki's popular Tamil historical novel Ponniyin Selvan.

Dargah Hazrath Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi, Chennai

 

Dargah Hazrath Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi - Facade

Dargah Hazrath Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi - Tomb

Dargah Hazrath Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi - Muslim Women

Hazrath Syed Moosa Shah Qadri Baghdadi (RA) arrived from Baghdad Shareef in the middle of the 17th Century and lived on the site of what is now better known as the Mount Road Dargah. When he died, he was buried next to his house and here his family raised the Dargah Shareef. The descendants of Hazrath Syed Moosa Shah Qadri Baghdadi managed the dargah shareef since from inception. The dargah premises also houses the Makka Masjid, one of the largest mosques in South India with its taller minaret (100 feet).

Sufism is the most moderate sect of Islam which approached the Islamic faith in a mystical way. Hence Sufism is simply Islamic mysticism and the Sufi saints are known as Islamic Mystics.   The Sufi saints seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. Tombs of Sufi Mystics exist all over India in large numbers.

Hazrath Syed Moosa Shah Qadri Baghdadi (RA), a Sufi Mystic is said to have had magnetic and spiritual powers which Almighty Allah has bestowed upon him. The divine power of this Sufi saint was revealed when a British engineer during colonial period instructed to demolish the dargah for widening the road. The workmen after initial resistance proceeded to excavate trenches around dargah and witnessed the spurting of blood from the soil. The engineer was unperturbed by this event and forced the workers to continue. The poor engineer collapsed suddenly and dropped dead. 

This Shrine is more than 450 years old. People of all faiths and religions visit this Dargah in a very large number from different parts of India and abroad throughout the year and pay their respectful tributes to the Hazrath Syed Moosa Shah Qadri Baghdadi (RA). Thursdays are considered as holy day and more people gather for prayers. This shrine of Sufi spiritualism promotes world peace, universal brotherhood, harmony and tolerance.