At santhome beach, opposite the then office of Inspector General of Police (now D.G.P. Office) elite crowd of families and friends assemble regularly in the evenings. Indeed it was a sight to see them buying hot Masaladosai, Vadai, Coffee form the mobile canteen, run by Modern Cafe.
In the fifties as we see mobile
phones today it was a fashion symbol to carry then prevalent transistors of all
sizes big and small in their hands while walking, traveling in buses or sitting
in beach, to listen to music, particularly
Mount Road, now Anna Salai, has transformed swiftly. The big trees that were on both sides, especially near and opposite the then Mount Road Post Office that was in an old building, with open space at the entrance and the trees, gave shelter and solace to cart men to rest a while. LIC built country’s then tallest building when they opened its Southern Hqrs. Red building housing Spencer’s, was a class by itself and at its north eastern corner was the only place polio drops were given to babies.
In those days, if hospitalisation is required, one has to go all the way to Poonamallee High Road, as all the Hospitals of repute, were built only there. Only since ten to fifteen years, we have big hospitals everywhere in all parts of the city.
Kodambakam alias Kollywood as known in cine world, had a dozen film studios with huge sets erected, as shootings were held only inside studios. Where over bridge stands today, it was only a level crossing, forcing actors in makeup and costume, wait for minutes together and the crazy fans throng to see their favourites in flesh and blood at close quarters. The S.I. film chamber of commerce took up the matter with the state government and the Railways and got the issue solved in the form of the present over bridge, the main gateway to kollywood.
In Kodambakam High Road before the old level crossing, it was a lake, on the right side, which is also made over to a colony, and now the monumental Valluvar Kottam attracts one and all.
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