For over 20 years, many a hawker on Cotton Street in Pantheon Road has ruled the stretch with his textiles, giving it its identity.
There is a variety of fabrics and designs: handloom, kalamkari, batik-printed cotton, linen, Jaipur cotton and ikkat design.
Under a blazing afternoon sun, the vendors do brisk business, “vanga madam, intha kadaiku vanga madam” (welcome madam, come to this shop).
The materials are sourced from across the country — Bengaluru, Orissa, Tirupur, Erode and Jaipur.
Reasonably priced
With some haggling, the fabrics can be purchased at reasonable prices, ranging from Rs.65 to Rs.200 per metre, depending upon the type of material.
Long-time customers recall the days when a metre of cotton clothing cost only Rs.20.
One of the shopkeepers says, pointing to a customer, “Antha madam intha kadaiku 15 varsham aa vanthutu irukanga.” (That lady has been coming to my shop for the past 15 years).
The customer too says that Cotton Street has met much of her clothing needs.
The street attracts both office and college goers.
The shops have a tarpaulin roofing with trees adding to the shade. They open around 1.30 p.m. and function up to 8 p.m., with kerosene lanterns serving as lighting once the sun is down.
As Chennai prepares for the high summer, Cotton Street on Pantheon Road is definitely one place to visit.
