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Mercantile History of Mylapore

The town of Mylapore, apart from being a centre for religious traditions, played an important role as a port of considerable significance. Mylapore port was as much a centre of trade as the Mamallapuram port under the Pallavas.

 

The retail trade in Mylapore thrived and continues to, in all the streets around the temple and extending further. From grandmother’s local medicines and vegetable markets to institutions teaching shorthand and offering Ayurveda services - almost every imaginable shop/ trade can be found on Kutchery Road. Buildings that once housed eminent personalities watch silently as they evolve into a new form with every passing decade.

 

This walk takes us along a length of Kutchery Road, discovering the trading establishments that existed and still exist or, in the case of quite a few, have taken a completely different form today.

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What Participants Say

I liked how things were explained in a way that was almost like story telling. Getting in touch with our history can often be daunting and seem like alot of effort but these bite sized snippets of it surely made is fascinating and personal and leaves one wanting for more!

Everything really- the curation of the route, the extensive background research that the team undertakes, the narration, the passion and commitment of Ashmitha and Priyani and the overall intent of celebrating and cherishing local culture and heritage

​It was informative and engaging

Walk Details

Focus: Trade and Commercial History
Research Duration: 3 months (and, ongoing!)


Walk Duration: 2 hours
Timings: 06:30 am – 08:30 am
Starting Point: Dabba Chetty Kadai
Ending Point: Nageswara Rao Park
Includes:

  • Understanding the trade history and evolution of Mylapore as a centre for commercial activities.

  • Traditional establishments such as Dabba Chetty, and Shorthand School.

  • The erstwhile market of the area

  • The intangible heritage of the area

  • Visit to places of significance, including:

    • Ranade Library

    • Venkataramana Dispensary

 If you're interested in a Mercantile History Along Kutchery Road private heritage walk, click here. 

* Private walks are subject to the availability of the walk leader. Please confirm the walk date and time at least 7-15 days before the start date of the walk. We require adequate time to process permissions and logistics and confirm the selected walk route.

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