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Heritage on the highway

A trip to another era. This time, near the Avanashi Road Flyover

PHOTOS: K. ANANTHAN

REMINDER OF A GLORIOUS PAST The building that houses Saradha Electricals.

Many heritage structures that we normally read about are tucked away from the main roads and one does not get to see them on a daily basis.

That way, the building to be discussed today is different.

Every time you use the Avanashi Road flyover, you can't miss this pristine building that has withstood the ravages of time.

Its sheer presence brings back memories of a Coimbatore of yore, which was less crowded and when aesthetic buildings still stood their ground.

The single-storey structure is now rented to an electrical goods retail business — Saradha Electricals.

The late Muthukumaraswamy Mudaliar built it in 1931. After 75 years, it is still standing grand.

The Mudaliar family still owns the building and one can still see the charm and culture of a bygone era in them today.

Ramaswamy Mudaliar, Muthukumaraswamy Mudaliar's son, recalls the past with pride.

Constructed at "just a few thousands", the building was meant for commercial use. General Electric Company, its first tenant, operated from the building till 1994.

The building has a lengthy façade and the square porch with ornate woodwork is a work of beauty.

The parapet on the terrace with stucco designs is also elegant.

Sunlight streams in through three windows on both sides of the building with tiled sunshades that have been finished with woodcarving.

The best part of the building is that one can take in this view in total as there is ample open space in front of it.

It is praiseworthy that no modern aberrations have crept into the building. So, one can study and feel the original scale, size and design of this structure.

Old- world charm

There are other structures of that age adjacent to the building, but modern structures, building additions and advertisement boards have hidden them from public view.

Once inside, the charm of a different era captures your imagination.

High ceilings supported by solid wooden beams, dressed quality granite stones on the floor, well finished, strong carved doors, all together create an ambience that is today lost in many structures.

But for that, this building is witness to a flurry of activity since its origin, with busy staff handling stock and sales.

One hopes this structure lives on forever, as it is one of the very few on one of our most important roads.

It is vital to appreciate the care taken by the owners and tenants to let this structure live!

A suggestion. Since an electrical store works out of it, it would be really great if this structure were lit up in the evenings.

That will present a wondrous sight.

Old-timers recall that Avanashi Road was home to many such buildings and the road used to be lined with trees.

Sadly, no documentation of that period is available.

If any reader has pictures or some information about such structures, do send them in.

SHANKAR VANAVARAYAR

(E-mail comments to cbemetro@thehindu.co.in with `heritage' in the subject line)

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