Madras Day Heritage Walk Highlights Pulianthope's History and Civic Concerns

A heritage walk organized on Saturday in Pulianthope on the occasion of Madras Day traced the neighborhood's rich history and called attention to long-standing civic issues in the area.

The walk was conducted by historian and author Nivedita Louis in association with the Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC). Over 15 participants took part in the event, which aimed to challenge historical stereotypes associated with North Chennai and highlight the locality's cultural and political contributions.

Among the key historical figures highlighted during the walk was sculptor S.P. Pillai, a resident of Pulianthope whose workshop was known locally as Bommai Kottai. Pillai sculpted many prominent bronze statues across the state, including the statue of C.N. Annadurai at the Anna Salai junction. Ms. Louis noted that Annadurai had visited Pillai's home at midnight to pose for the sculpture, while former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran visited early in the morning during breaks from film shoots to oversee the work.

Starting at St. Joseph’s Industrial Training Institute, described as India's second-largest technical institute, the walk visited the home of a Siddha practitioner who provided free treatment to residents. It also stopped at the residence of S. Pakkirisami Pillai, a two-time Member of Legislative Assembly from the Socialist Party who was active in the labor movement.

The tour covered the history behind local street names, including Padisonpuram Lane, named after a British Labour Commissioner of Madras Presidency, and Powder Mills Road, named after the gunpowder manufactured and stored in the area during British rule.

The walk also explored two settlements in Pulianthope classified as developed under the Madras Urban Development Project, where residents continue to await drinking water connections, sewage connections, and land pattas. IRCDUC founder Vanessa Peter stated that around 10 settlements rebuilt more than two decades ago still lack basic amenities, calling for infrastructure audits to resolve these issues.