My magazine writing - TRAVEL SERIES IN PARRY'S

About Parry’s Corner.The History and the Culture of the famous Parry's Corner.

Friends, happy to share this article was published in Chennai's leading city magazine - INBOX 1305, in the year 2011 and at that time had got me wide acclaim.

So here's the article about my favourite place called Parry's!!!

All Roads Lead to Parry’s.

Remnants of a glorious past, one can find in Parry’s. Even as it is enjoys an indisputable recognition as the commercial capital of Chennai, it holds on to its Brit time ingenuity, a distinct feature that only Parry's can associate itself with even today.

People still flock to Parry’s in search of the best deal, be it for hardware goods or temple jewellery. Parry’s Corner, as it is popularly known always conjures up in the mind of a Chennaite, a colorful picture.

Here as we explore the unique links of this area that has its links with the historical past of Madras, while living through the color and rhythm of life in Parry’s.

A Hub of Commerce.

Parry’s has been the first part of the city to come up with a fascinating piece of history. Thomas Parry who first landed in Madras in 1788, was a Welsh merchant who established the E.I.D Parry building which now houses the giant conglomerate called the Murugappa Group. John Binny was the next person who came to Madras in 1797 and he established the textile company Binny & Co.

Old and prominent Educational Institutions.

Many old schools like the St.Columban’s School or the Bharathi Women’s College, reminding of our charming past as well as carrying forward the wonderful tradition of Educational values and making its presence felt here for many decades has seen generations of students passing through its portals.

Fort of St. George.

Colonial rule marked the beginning of the city's growth as a major commercial centre. Today, most of the large business houses have their offices in George Town, while Fort St George is the power centre of the Tamil Nadu state government. One of the first settlements of modern Madras has been located in this very area, with the workers at Fort. St George had their families dwelling in the nearby town. Known as the Black-Town earlier, it eventually came to be known as George-Town, linking itself to the Fort of St. George.

The Socio-cultural milieu.

The fruit seller round the corner in Errabalu Chetty Street, has been selling fruits here in Parry’s for over 40 years now. He brings into highlight that he has not got a house to live in with his family. And the Government must do the needful to help people like me, as we have business for over so many years in the area.

High Court.

The building of the High Court, an exquisite example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, was built in 1892, under the guidance of the famed architect Henry Irwin. It has been a very important presence, attracting many visitors. The surrounding restaurants and bazaars therefore is always buzzing with an activity, whilst visitors come and go here. A Law Practitioner at the High Court, Kirthika, points out that though High Court is situated in Parry’s, the main center for all law practices to get approval from here. Most of the time I find that there is little amenity provided for people in terms of toilets, infrastructure and good drainage system, which is very contradictory state for a Law Practitioner to see.

Links to Armenia.

Parry’s is also home to the only reminder of the bygone era- the Holy Virgin Mary church of 1772, located at the Armenian Street, South Black Town (this area is now called Georgetown).

The Armenians have been staying in India since remote antiquity. The Armenians claim to have arrived in India before the British. They also claim to have been the forerunners to be converted into Christianity in the European continent.

The grave of many Armenian merchants lying in the silence of this beautiful monument is a testimony to the trade and commercial relations between Armenia and India some centuries back.

Fleet of Bus Services.

The Khadi Kraft Bus Depot was the centre of all Bus services until in 2002, the CMBT was moved to Koyambedu. Though still for long distances there are two main stands in the George Town called Express Bus Stand and Broadway.

Shopping.

To shop in Parry’s means to shop always for a good bargain. Well, isn’t that what we hear about Parry’s. Many interesting names of streets such as Stringer’s street, Bunder Street, Godown street, is also a place to check out as they are a haven for wholesale buffs. And the stuff that one can get here – right from kirana dry fruits, to foot wear to apparel… which is all at the best deal. Now it will leave little for you to wonder why Parry’s holds a special place in a shopper’s diary for things to buy at wholesale value.

Parry’s continues to be the hub of commercial activity. Such as wholesale markets of shoe, apparel, and hardware items as well as it is well connected with public transport system, such as the Madras Transport Corporation, had its all city Bus Depot located right here which was shifted last decade to Koyembedu.

With much development during the recent past, Parry’s has witnessed much of commercial and institutional activities. And thanks to this, that Parry’s is still the amalgamation of all that is modern yet historical.

By: Alifia