There are certain images readily associated with Mylapore. One of these: Attractively old-fashioned houses. For rank outsiders, this is likely to be the dominant image about the locality. Not so, for those familiar with it.
Such houses can still be found in this neighbourhood, but they are few and far between. Mylapore is going the way of all other localities in the metro — and who are we to argue with that?
But, what should be of concern to us is that many iconic landmarks are being lost in the process.
For example, Thannithurai market, accounting for eight-and-a-half grounds on Royapettah High Road, was one of the oldest vegetable markets in Chennai.
A few years ago, the market was razed down to pave way for the construction of a 33-unit apartment complex.
Balanced view
According to G.A. Vishwanath, a resident of Mylapore since 1962, this change is recent in origin.
“Compared to other localities such as T.Nagar, the pace of development and change has been remarkably slow,” he says.
Today, one can notice that small-sized apartment buildings have replaced many independent houses on cul-de-sacs in Luz.
“For many residents, this is a welcome change,” says Vishwanath, adding, “On the flip side, this development is erasing what we know to be the character of Mylapore and this will be a loss for the next generation — only that they wouldn’t know what they are missing.”
Shyamala Srivatsan, a long-time resident of Mylapore, takes an almost practical view of the situation. She was a big fan of the samosas served at Shanti Vihar in Luz, which she says, was one of the popular eateries in Luz. She is however not disappointed that the old-fashioned building has been demolished to make way for two apartment complexes.
“There was a time when bungalows and independent houses gave Luz its charm. The locality used to look beautiful. But, how long will these old buildings continue to exist, that too, with little or minimal facilities? My mother-in-law is still attached to her old independent house and refuses to sell or demolish it and let an apartment complex come up in its place. The house has an electricity issue, but repairing it is an exercise in futility. I, on the other hand, am attached to the apartment that I live in currently, which was built on the land that previously had an independent house. Similarly, when Shanti Vihar was demolished, I was relieved that I need not bother about the old building crashing down on me when I am eating a samosa ,” says Shyamla, who is a teacher at Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Royapettah High Road, since 1994.
Considerable change
Then there are some Mylaporeans who think the development has divested Mylapore of its charm. Their complaint: Where there was one house, complexes with 15 units have come up.
V. Akila, an advocate who has been residing in Mylapore for over 30 years, says the neighbourhood has not been designed to cater to the needs and demands of a rapidly growing population, especially in terms of water supply, sewerage disposal and traffic management.
“Even 10 years ago, the number of independent houses was significantly high; in most areas, there were only a few scattered flats. Each house had a garden in the front and back. Even the MIG flats in R.K. Nagar had a 40-feet space between its blocks. Each flat had a separate bore connection” she points out. “Even then, Mylapore was crowded, but the congestion was restricted to a few areas. The Mada Veedhi, for example, was considered a shopping hub. Today, due to the burgeoning growth, commerce is found almost at every turn. Commercial establishments and schools have sprung up in residential areas. There are no centralised business centres or residential layouts anymore,” she says.
“Outsiders who have not visited Thiruvengadam Street in a long time, still see it as an ‘avenue’. The truth is: it is not one anymore. Reality is diametrically opposite to the popular perception about it. It has become an utterly busy street with no space for residents to take a stroll in the morning or evening. Roadside parking too has added to the congestion. It’s difficult to find domestic help, who are keen to work at apartment houses for the extra pay it brings,” says a resident of Thiruvengadam Street in R.A. Puram, who wants his identity to be kept under wraps.
