Shadowing Mahatma Gandhi through the streets of Chennai

To mark the 150-birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,

Namma Chennai Chancey-Illa

recently organised the

Mahatma and Madras Trail

. The idea was to walk down the lanes of Chennai that bore Gandhi’s footprints. Twenty history enthusiasts gathered at the Times of India office premises at around 5.45am, even as our curator,

Ramanujar Moulana

, gave us an overview on the places we were going to cover and why they were significant in the pages of history. We boarded two mini vans and set out on this Gandhi yatra...

Thakkar Bapa

Vidyalaya, T Nagar

Not many knew that the old government building used to be a centre for skill training. Our guide there, Usha K, secretary to the secretary of

Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Samithi

, said, “The first Thakkar Bapa vocational institute was started in 1933 where the Meenakshi College For Women is today. In 1946, this 4.25-acre of land was donated to us, and the institute shifted from Arcot Road, Kodambakkam to the current premises. On February 1, 1946, Gandhiji laid the foundation with a trowel, which we still have at the institution. When Gandhiji started the

Harijan Sevak Sangh

in 1932, Thakkar Bapa was its first general secretary. The aim of this institute was to eradicate untouchability and improve the lifestyle of the community.”

The cot and charkha at the training institute, which was used by Gandhiji

Usha added, “Workshops such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work were taught to men, and about 20 years ago, we included courses for women so that they can be financially independent.” We noticed a restored cot and charkha with a note — ‘This cot was used by Mahatma Gandhiji during his stay in Madras in 1946’. Another part of the campus has Gandhi Memorial Library. It is believed that a part of Gandhiji’s ashes are kept there. There are also pictures of Thakkar Bapa and Gandhi, and another picture showing Gandhiji collecting funds for Harijan upliftment projects.

The trowel used by Gandhi in 1946

Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha

, T Nagar

Founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918, the aim of the sabha was to propagate Hindi in southern states. “Historical records say that ‘Hindi Prachar’ was a part of the Freedom Movement, and one of the goals was to teach the language to non-Hindi-speaking folks. Gandhiji, who was the founder president of the sabha, continued to hold the post till he breathed his last,” explained Ramanujar.


ITC WelcomHotel (Formerly Chola Hotel Entrance), Cathedral Road

This is the spot where Mahatma Gandhi, Rajagopalachari and Subramanya Bharathi met; a plaque outside the hotel premises has bits of the history mentioned on it. Explaining the significance of the place, Ramanujar said, “In March 1919 when Mahatma Gandhi visited Madras, he stayed with Rajaji; the house belonged to S Kasturi Ranga Iyengar. Bharathiyar also happened to meet them regarding a public meet. It was when the Rowlett Committee was appointed and Gandhiji had discussed the idea of going on a nation-wide non-violence hartal to oppose the act.”

Mahatmaji Seva Sangam, Triplicane

This place wasn’t visited by Gandhiji, but is significant for a reason. Ramanujar explained, “The Sangam was started in 1948 with the aim of serving the poor and empowering women, but it isn’t in use today. The driving force behind the endeavour was Kothainayaki Ammal, popularly known as ‘Vai Mu Ko’, who was a revolutionary woman freedom fighter, writer, novelist and editor of the Tamil magazine, Jaganmohini. When Gandhi asked people to adapt swadeshi products, such as khadi clothes, she was one of the pioneers and the centre was started with that vision.”

Tilak Ghat

, Marina Beach

A commemorative stone placed here has an elaborate history engraved, and also lists all the freedom fighters who addressed a huge crowd here. “During the freedom movement, this place by the Marina Beach used to reverberate with speeches and slogans of great leaders. It was a regular spot for meetings and thousands would come to listen to the voices of Mahatma Gandhi, Annie Besant, Tilak, Rajaji, Subhash Chandra Bose, VO Chidambaram Pillai, Bharathiyar, Kamarajar, Subramaniya Siva, Bipin Chandrapal, G Subramaniya Iyer, Jawaharlal Nehru, S Srinivasa Iyengar, S Sathiyamurthi, Karmaveerar Kamaraj, Ma Po Si, Sardar Athikesavalu Nayacker…” he said.

Pachaiyappas Hall, NSC Bose Road, George Town

This is one of the places that Gandhi visited when he came to Madras for the first time. “Evidence from various sources also mention his visit to YMCA Esplanade and Madras Christian College, which used to be in George Town those days; the only evidence of the college’s existence is the Anderson Church,” explained Ramanujar.

Unity House, Perambur

Mahatma Gandhi and wife Kasturba Gandhi inaugurated this building on September 3, 1927. “Many prominent leaders and thousands of workers, who were part of the employees union in the then Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, gathered on the occasion. The building is now the central office of Southern Railway Employees Sangh. Perambur is also the railway hub of India,” said Ramanujar.

Victoria Public Hall, Poonamallee High Road

Located next to Madras Central Station, this also featured prominently in the list of places Gandhi had been to during his first visit to the city. It is said that he watched a drama enacted by Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar here.

"Gandhi lived life as it is to be lived but not many follow him today. Gandhi wished to see our country without a hint of corruption. If we had followed every word he said, India would excel in terms of everything. He wished to see India as a country that has access to basic needs such as roads, transport, healthcare, education, toilets, etc so that everybody lives a decent life. On the 150th anniversary of Gandhiji, I wish our youngsters and ministers would start seeing the country through his vision," V Kalyanam, 98, the former personal secretary to Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi and Kalyanam

S Neelacantan who is a friend of Kalyanam and has closely worked with him while working on his documentary novel ‘August 15’, gave a brief history of how the bonding between Gandhiji and Kalyanam was and how he still remembers and talks about those days. Speaking about V Kalyanam, he said, "He isn’t keeping well, but when we tell him that people want to meet him, he gets excited. We’ve been friends for 15 years… we used to be neighbours and I used to visit him almost every day. While working on the novel, we got to spend more time together; he was 90 then. When we talk about India, he gets very emotional. He isn’t happy with the current state of our country, but having said that, if there’s something good happening, he always appreciates it."


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