Artiste and writer ‘Appa’ Ramesh reminisces about Madras

Born in Egmore Maternity Hospital, I grew up in the government quarters at Todd Hunter Nagar in Saidapet. It was a sprawling campus with over 500 houses, warm neighbours, and abundant green cover.

Every Pongal, we celebrated ‘Nagar Day’ with fanfare, and there would be competitions, sports activities, and a three-day drama performance. My younger brother Suresh and I, both child artistes, played major roles.

Old Madras was the unhurried city with its own charm, from the friendly provision stores, where the owner knew your family, to the huge Spencer Plaza on Mount Road, which was the precursor to today’s malls.

I yearn for those old theatres — New Elphinstone, Odiyan Mani, Wellington, and New Globe —and eateries — Arya Bhavan, Ambi’s Café, and Udupi Sri Krishna Vilas.

Today’s Chennai is bustling on several fronts from Chennai Metro to information technology corridors. I admire its cosmopolitan nature, healthcare, education, and resilience. Now, Chennai has spread its wings almost up to Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Mamallapuram, and we see massive growth in all spheres. But my heart still beats for the old Madras.

(As told to Sunitha Sekar)