Woodlands is one of the places I felt as if I am not in Chennai. I also think it is the favorite place for many of you. It was shock to see me that the place has been taken over by the government and going to get converted in to some garden. Such a shame, such a place is going to go.
Of all my wasted days the most were at woodlands drivein...
U could order a cup of coffee ( the old white at times ceramic chipped cups n saucer)share it ( one by three at times) n while away a couple of hours. Sometimes u would feel sorry for the elderly gentlmen waiting on u but will def miss them...the drivein concept trays .....when I first bought a car ( a rickety old 800) the first stop was there , use those propped up trays.....ghee roast, naan ( butter naans with the orangish masala)
Amidst those lush green corners was heavenly.....was also a fav haunt to spend a few peaceful hours with your u know who.....
Chennai will never the same again....poor marketing execs ...they will be the worst hit. Vj
I bought a book for my father last time called Madras, An architectural heritage - it is out of print and I paid a good sum of money to get it from indiaclub.com.
The book has several pictures and stories about buildings in old chennai - many of whom are on their way to destruction and many are gone. My father got very emotional and sentimental on reading it and is still reading it.
It is truly a pity. Yes the woodlands was the 'honeymooning' spot for so many couples who could not afford anything better. Till her last days my mother was teased mercilessly about her 'honeymooon' which was a vada and coffee at woodlands with my father, away from the many old people at home :))
hi somehow drive in woodlands seems to evoke different nostalgic memories from everybody.some romantic, some literary, aana vijay not all of your wasted days were at drive in. yu have used the same term for besant nagar beach and thiruvanmiyur unbuilt gopuram earlier. i hope atleast they maintain the green cover. venketesh
I became member of American Consul Library (Connimara + Brt Cnsl too), dressed in pyjama - kurtha and jolna pai (bag) used to sit at the open air Drive-in- Restaurant with a cup of Coffee after the splendid Masala Dosa ..
for a House-fly (Ee ..!) to fall in the cup ..
since it happend in her Fictions !
IDENTIFICATION FOR ARIVU JEEVI ....... !!!!!
Today when I saw the Hoarding at Drive-In Entry that Restaraunt is functioning, but NO CAR PARKING, I realised the SOUL is gone .. !
But look at the other side ::
With about Rs. 5 Crores per Ground, the place is worth not less than Rs. 300 Crores to the Government !
it is a shocking news to me too. i cannot forget the place. whenever myself and maniyan feel like eating we went there, sitting in the car, eating masaldosai talking politics state level and national level. i lost many of my writers friends. we are old. i can accept deaths but not this loss it is a sad news seethaalakshmi
Wow.. I used to like his travel stories, very much, he was one of the oldest writers of travelogues. He was also the fist among revivers of Bhakti in magazine culture with Gnana Bhoomi. I must confess though towards his later days he became just another MGR worshipper and his writing lost much of value. Is Idhayam magazine still being published?
there is no idayam pesukiRathu magazine now he was basically congress man. once MGR wrote a series "n-aan yeen piRan-thee" from that point manaian has become friend. then he took many films with MGR after that he became close friend of MGR savi became friend of karunaanithi seethaalakshmi
Yes, the rivalry between these two journalists was really boosting magazine sales then. To more intelligent readers used to Kalki and the outspoken magazine tradition it was shameful outright 'kakka pidikkal'. Both Saavi and Manian were good journalists, intelligent men, it was very sad to see them become such brown nosers (as they call kakka pidikkal in this country).
SPS sir, sounds like you have a great plan, hope it works out. It is a privilege meeting such old stalwarts as Madam Seethalakshmi and even hear about all associated.
Since you mentioned old journalists I would suggest add the ageing Cho Sir? Manian and Saavi on two sides with Cho in the middle was sort of the magazine scene in the 70s and 80s. Cho still has his razor sharp wit and political satire, although over age he has also become very emotional, taking sides and giving quick statements. But his contribution to keeping bhakti/tradition alive and much needed critical outlook on politics is very important (I think).
I had no idea Madhan was part of the old journalist team. I agree completely that Cho rarely 'blends in' anywhere, so perhaps that is a wise decision only.
I disagree though that he was any genius. He was and is an intelligent man, more intelligent than others around him and has a very good flair for timely comedy. He is a good political satirist and knows many times how political events turn out so perhaps that is why people think he is 'genius'. I used to like him a lot, of late have lost much of respect.