Triplicane is famous for its agraharams , its mansions and mosques..Of course its also famous for Ratna Cafe and idlis as my friend VJ would have said :) On a serious note, this area is known for its monuments - be it the Chepauk palace and stadium or the Nawab's house or the Parthasarthy temple and its lily pond ..
However I am not going to post those pictures here.You can google and see them..here are some lesser significant doors and windows of buildings which I found beautiful .Strangers opened their doors to us as we shot pictures of the narrow pathways and frontages . Simple dwellings with a lot of warmth. They may not find their way into any of those glossy magazines on Interiors and Spaces, but I hope you like them . 
For instance , see this intrinsic design on the top of this old door which was so low that I had to sit and take this picture.Some more houses ..
Houses without people are lifeless. So here are some denizens of Triplicane nestled in their homes.
And then the doors - opened, partially opened and closed. 
For more details on photo walks in Chennai, log on to www.selectiveamnesia.org
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Windows and doors of Triplicane
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26 comments:
v nice pics congratutulations! enjoy the trip
Hi,
These photos show nice marveled exit ance. And picture gives old look.
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Preeti
look4ward
:P nice :P
Not been to that area much.You have captured its sights and sounds so well!
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi :)
You have documented a place and way of life that might not be around a decade later - these photographs are priceless, and for some reason, filled me with nostalgia (for an old Madras, I suppose).
Kamini.
I enjoy these photos of building fronts, windows, alleys, and entries. My imagination is always stirred by such photos and the stories that are attached and unknown by strangers.
Well those buildings must be old because as far as I know Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity "met" around 1000 in India.
This place is drenched in tradition and culture, that time seems to stand still sometimes. I love just staring at the architecture, the minute details are so beautifully crafted. Its sad that this is one of the lesser maintained localities of chennai
Its been years through this place, when visiting parthasarathi temple. To me these are heritage houses; will our future build houses like these? Wonder still they exist!! Great pictures, gets me there after long time.
My dad used too praise about Ratna Cafe's taste.
i must admit that you've made me look at the place in new light. oh, and the sambar idlis in ratna cafe are simply incomparable.
my dad talks of a 'saidoji mess' very fondly, i do not know if it still exists.
Lakshmi,
Some amazingly well captured moments. Your eye for the detail is simply awe inspiring.
Your pictures did remind me of some of the mansions we used to pass through in my childhood days at Old Delhi - same colourful doors, pillars and large windows.
The picture depicting the two persons reading newspapers (in your post on faces of Triplicane) reminded me of my visit to one of the small villages in the Distt. Tirunelvelli around three decades back. A close friend from USA had some family business there and I accompanied him. At about 9.00 in the morning a sort of commotion pulled us out of my friend's ancestral house. One guy standing on a pedestal was reading a newspaper in a loud voice(I think it was Dinathandhi, or something like that - pardon me if I am wrong)with at least 20 persons surrounding. There was a question-answer session too. With the advent of radios, TV and other means of communication, there must be a sea change in that tiny little village. But your post reminded me of those two days we spent there.
Thanks for sharing these lovely pics.
Very nice pics Lakshmi....
lakshmi, you have an eye for pictures that have a lot of life, despite not showing a single human there.
Simply wonderful. Have you ever thought of putting these in a book ?
Top captures. As usual.
Great pictures...and will just explain that details picture you have taken of a door - it my field of study....(maybe you know some of this but want to share for everyone)
It is called a LINTEL - is a structural member that spans the openings and holds the wall above.
Now the detail where the center piece is higher than the rest is the KEYSTONE - it is a topmost part that holds an arch together - in this case a FLAT ARCH....
Dont know the location but arches to certain houses or temple are low - the reason you bend down to enter it...as a respect...
sorry for the long comment...the pics wanted me to talk...
any new articals????published??
Excellent shots! You intend to enter them in some photo contest?
Wow.. You deserve to be a professional photographer !! :)
Triplicane reminds me of Temples and Tiffin...which is out of this world....btw very good collection of snap shots...
How nice that strangers opened doors so you could see what was behind them. Beautiful doors are so intriguing.
Very old colonial architecture, just like my hometown Penang. Nice pics.
Love the pictures and the buildings. You're right, buildings without people are dead.
Loved the doors and grills (one of my fav subject)...am quite glad to see the "not so famous" ones.... :)
Tk care and have a gr8 weekend ~
Interesting.
Those are great pictures. Vibrant colors on the windows. I like how they are a little worn and aged,....it gives them a lot of character.
Excellent photos!
and great illustration.
gud luck
Carol by carol - welcome to backpacker and thanks for the wishes
Hemant/ Preeti - Welcome to backpacker and thanks for your comment on the pictures
Vishesh - Thanks :)
Sameera - The place is so vibrant ..you must go there if you are ever in Chennai/ madras again
Kamini - So true ...however i wish the old order doesnt change..certain good things should never end
Onedia - Monuments always breathe..they have as much life as we do..thanks for dropping by
Ropi - Thats interesting..I didnt know regarding that..thanks for sharing
Anu - You have worded so well..drenched is the word and staring at them takes you to a different world..Most old areas are neglected, but Madras is one city where a certain emphasis is placed on heritage
Jeevan - You are so right..will such houses ever be built ? They are heritage as well..
Dharma - do visit it sometime..I went after a long time too..and let me know if the mess still exists
Ram - Welcome to backpacker and thanks so much for this long and beautiful comment and your knowledge of Tamil Nadu is amazing.I come from a small village in Tirunelveli district and if all goes well, may be going there this weekend after more than 2 decades
Ajeya - Thanks
UK - Thanks for your kind words..I need to start looking for a publisher :) Monuments have life too..
Gopal - Thanks..:) all inspired by your pics
Ceedy - Thanks so much for the information ...I love reading about doors and architecture..was always interested in that subject..I love living spaces and I keep scouting for antique doors, furniture ..yes, a few have been published as well
Indrani - lol..who is holding one ? thanks
KC - I have a long way to go..you are flattering me
Sukku - Glad it brought back great memories..food is a universal thing
Wendy - Completely agree with you..there is a certain mystery about them
Pete - Welcome to backpacker and thanks..Glad you liked them. I have been to Penang
Agnes - Thanks..if buildings are not maintained by people, they die..they need life to breathe
BTR - Good to see you..hope you are doing well..thanks for dropping by
Nandan - thanks :)
Matt - The entire locality has a character..its ancient and is unique in its own way..thanks for dropping by
Rakii - Welcome to backpacker and thanks for our wishes
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