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A slice of history

Panthadi Streets are unique in many ways

PHOTO:G.MOORTHY.

LANDMARK Krishnan Temple in Panthadi area

Tucked between the Palace Road and Pal Mal Cross Street, the Panthadi Streets have much to narrate. One finds many old timers eagerly reeling out facts and figures about these streets. Says L.M. Thulasi Ram, who has seen four generations living here: "Panthadi Streets comprise nine main streets and one cross street. Of all the nine, street numbers one, three, five and seven are wide while the rest are narrow."

"Panthadi streets are unique. They were laid in such a manner that on a full moon night, the light spreads evenly on all the streets providing a wonderful sight," says another resident V.R. Ganesh Chandar.

It is the history of Sourashtrians that beats on the Panthadi Streets, otherwise so close to the Palace and in the heart of old city. Mr. Thulasi Ram points out that community people enjoyed royal patronage from King Thirumalai Naicker because of their weaving capabilities. "In fact, we were called from Gujarat to be the Royal Weavers for the Naickers. The earliest settlers came at least 500 years ago," he says.

Origin of the name

Mr. Ganesh Chandar briefs about the origin of the name. In the olden days, as a form of measurement, people said `kundadi thooram' for longer distance and `Panthadi thooram' for shorter distance. Since the streets are closer to Thirumalai Naick Palace, they got the name `Pandhadi.'

But another resident P.R. Sridhar narrates a different story. He says earlier the streets being closer to the King's Palace remained as `agalis' (moat).

And the place got its name, `panithadi' (pani meaning water and thadi is crossing) which over the years became `Panthadi.'

Whatever it is, in reality groundwater has never been a problem here. Rainwater in the mahal area naturally flows down to Panthadi Streets enhancing the area's water level. Corporation also supplies piped water on alternate days.

Pride

"Another pride of Panthadi Streets is that the sacred feet of Sriman Natana Gopala Nayaki Swamigal (1843-1941), who is popularly known as `Sourashtra Alwar,' tread on the streets while singing `pasurams' on Lord Perumal," points out Mr.. Ganesh Chandar.

An important personality of the area is Rashtrabandu L.K. Thulasi Ram, better known as Father of Sourashtra Community, who sang the songs of Poet Bharathi on the floor of Legislature while speaking on the adjournment motion moved by S. Sathyamoorthy to lift the ban on Bharathi's songs.

Though the streets have adjusted to the changing times and given space to many a concrete structure, there are still a few houses adorning a traditional look with earthen tiles used for roofing.

Calm atmosphere

Though the area has always been dominated by Sourashtrians, people of other communities too forayed into the area, says V.G. Padmini.

She is in love with the place given its calmness and serenity.

Though old, Panthadi Streets are sought after, if the land cost is any indication here. Every square feet is up for Rs.2,500, says Mr.Thulasi Ram.

In the earlier days, whoever wanted to learn typewriting, shorthand and Hindi would come to Panthadi Streets as the place was flooded with such institutes, recalls T. Ravichandran, programme officer, Gandhi Museum, who spent his childhood in the area.

Sujatha Damodharan, councillor for Panthadi first four streets, says that plans are in the pipeline to construct a footpath around the palace and public urinals.

An association called Panthadi Residents Welfare Association was started in 1999 to look after the needs of the people, according to present president T. Kadarkarai Thangam. The association has successfully implemented various projects like erecting streetlights and digging borewells with the help of local MLA.

Now, the association is seriously pursuing a social responsibility - of cleaning the first and sixth streets, which act as garbage dumping yard for many nearby hotels.

S.S.KAVITHA

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