The family of doctors in T Nagar, who were of great help to society, were Dr Anangrachariar and his son-in-law Dr Srinivasacahariar, his grandson Dr Govindarajan and other nieces and nephews who are well-known doctors now. Dr. Anangrachariar was a corporation councillor who gave a facelift to T Nagar.
Eminent singer Madurai Mani Iyer used to perform at Ramaswamy Street in T Nagar, a branch of the arterial Usman Road, long back, reminiscences Prof T Ramalingam who is gifted with a sharp memory and razor sharp brain as he gushed forth information about vintage Madras.
We used to play cricket after 9 a.m. in Ramaswamy Street as there was hardly any house there, recollects Ramalingam. The famous Siva-Vishnu Temple near T Nagar bus terminus was a small shed.
One of the most popular men in T Nagar was a Congressman called Ramaswamy Naidu who resided in North Usman Road and fed at least 100 people a day. The present location of Dharmapura Adheenam in North Usman Road was land donated by philanthropist Ramaswamy Naidu which expresses his love for Tamil and its priceless literature.
Nalli had established themselves very well even at that time, declares the retired professor.
Bus service, called City Motor Service, was operated by Sundaram Iyer. Route No. 9 plied between T Nagar and Parry’s Corner and route No. 12 plied between T Nagar and Ice House.
My friend used to come all the way to a Udipi Hotel at Tyagaraya Road just for a plate of rava dosai and degree coffee which was priced very little, says the octogenarian.
They used to serve sambar for idlis in a big vessel which was good enough to be consumed with rice.
Ramalingam fondly remembers the tram on Mount Road when a man used to ring the bell for pedestrians to make way.
Almost all houses had a cattle shed and people reared cows. Most cows went by the name Lakshmi – because it was considered auspicious to have cow at home.
Most teachers were attired in pancha kacham (traditional dress) and were strict disciplinarians.
A well-dressed man, Ramalingan had an eye for detail which was reflected in his coat and variety of ties (which he never used to repeat) that he used wear.
Those days students respected their teachers and we were held in awe, declares Ramalingam, who cherishes his association with centenarian Srinivasachariar, founder of Ahobila Mutt school who became a legend in his own time.
He was my teacher and I used to periodically visit him till his death at the age of 100, recalls Ramalingam in a voice choked with emotion.
We were at Singara Mudali Street in T Nagar and my father owned another house at Bazullah Road which we sold at a throwaway price during the World War, declares Ramalingam remorsefully. War made a man rich and poor.
I felt Mylapore, T Nagar and Triplicane carried better culture and residing there made a man civilized, says the ex-professor of Pachaiyappa’s College.
But I always feel that Madras should be made a clean and tidy place as it is a melting pot of diverse culture. When I landed here as a school kid, there was a world of difference between Rangoon (Yangon) and Madras (Chennai) as far as cleanliness was concerned. People were more conscious of the need for cleanliness in Burma, he avers. But he and his family soon adjusted themselves to the new city of their stay and became true-blue Madrasis.
Talking to you is kindling so many memories for me, of my parents, my siblings and my past life, he concluded a little sadly.
(Concluded)
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