The Code Chennai-18 always raised the query 'Alwarpet or Teynampet' because Chennai post offices were not provided with the six digit pin codes then. If it was Alwarpet then the question to follow would be new Alwarpet or the village? And if it was Teynampet, whether it was Vellala Teynampet or Vanniya Teynampet? Even today such questions may be asked when we say Chennai-600018.

If there is one place in Chennai, which has got four roads as its boundaries, then it is Alwarpet-Teynampet. Cathedral Road to its north, Chamiers Road to its south, Mowbrays Road in the west and Anna Salai in the east form a well-knit boundary to this area. To enlist the small localities and the lanes and by-lanes enclosed by these roads demands immense patience and time. Similar to the areas in Saidapet the roads in this locality also have communal names. Even after being provided with alternate names these roads can be still identified by the earlier names.

No one will believe, if it was said, that those days paddy was grown in the present Alwarpet area. Thirty five years ago the place where Hotel Chola Sheraton, Kasturi Estate and the Russian Cultural Centre exist today, was filled with green, luscious fields. But the affluent and elite Chennai citizens of today reside in this area. The 'Dream Girl' of the Hindi film industry, Hemamalini, resided here and established her dance school in the same area.

The leading Tamil hero, Kamalhaasan also, commenced his adult life amidst these fields. Slightly away, there was an old film studio of Chennai. A Zamindaar, who produced two great Telugu blockbusters after the end of the Second World War, built a studio called 'Shobanachala'. Later on, it came to be called as 'Venus Studio', only to get converted into a residential area of today called the 'Venus Colony'. This area has not lost its 'cinematic touch' even now, as it houses the great director of yesteryears Bhimsingh. His great hits like 'Paava Mannippu', 'Paasa Malar', 'Baaga Pirivinai' and 'Paalum Pazhamum' are still enjoyed by fans of all ages.

Ashokamitran
(Translated by Sujatha Pradeep)