The one and only cinema hall of Triplicane till date is the Star Cinema hall. I have watched a lot of magnificent Hindi movies in that hall. Before one entered the hall there used to be 5-6 small shops. And those shops used to sell Hindi movie songbooks exclusively. These books were available in Hindi and Urdu too. I have a great fascination for the Urdu script. To become familiar with the Urdu words, I learnt the Urdu language. When my Urdu master became angry with me, he used to say " Bewakooph! Gadha! ". The meaning of the first word is fool and that of the other is donkey. It is not that easy to pronounce the words in Urdu. Even people who know Sanskrit and Hindi cannot pronounce the numerous words that easily.

There is one more specialty near Star Theatre, which is that of a special headgear made exclusively for the Muslim weddings. The artisans, who make these turbans and robes, do not get enough to eat a full meal. When I once visited their place, the plight of the artisans became one of visible distress. Does the Government give them any prize or do they get any title at least? The Vinayaka (Pillaiyar) procession in Triplicane nowadays causes a lot of worry and anxiety. There is already one big pillaiyar in Big Street in Triplicane. Then where is the necessity for these papier-mache pillaiyars? This reminds me of the writer Ku. Azhagiriswami. He was also residing in Triplicane. Had he taken the form of a spirit, he must be watching the procession from Chengalvarayan Street.

Ashokamitran
(Translated by Sujatha Pradeep)