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Saavi (Sa.Visvanathan) was a popular writer in Tamil.He was with Ananda Vikatan for a long time. His ‘Washingtonil Thirumanam’ was a classic in its genre. He had written several other humorous pieces too. He later started his own weekly called ‘Saavi’.
He is supposed to have lived in the house above.
Later, I learnt that R.K.Narayan also lived in Vellala Street and many of his works describe characters and happenings around this street.
Another author, B.S. Ramaiah used to live in Puraswalkam. He was the author of several short stories, plays, and screen plays including ‘Policekkaran Magal’. His son was my Engineering classmate. I have visited him in the sixties but do not recall the street.
Truly a writers’ street.
Madras Nalla Madras. A photo blog on Madras, that is Chennai 
Sad how the house has been allowed to deteriorate! I receive brochures for new developments along the OMR and other localities all the time, but no developer seems interested in re-crafting traditional home styles, with modern fittings inside. Surely, that can’t be difficult to accomplish? Many of us who live overseas have yearnings to return, mainly in order to be close to parents and relatives, and the last thing that we want are cookie-cutter monstrosities that look like scaled down American suburban structures. It would be interesting to see Indian architects and builders promote traditional Indian home styles in some of the gated communities being put up . . .
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I agree.
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On a tangential note, I have a faint recollection of Pursawalkam and Vepery being the center of the Anglo Indian community. Maybe I am wrong – but if it is true it might have something to do with the proximity of these areas to the rail centers. Hari might know this better. Some Anglo Indian schools from those areas I remember from my school days are – Doveton Corrie, St Aloysius, St Mathias ( I have played against many of them at school cricket – and occasionally won the games!!).
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On a tangential note, I seem to recall from my school days that Pursawalkam and Vepery were centers of the Anglo Indian community. Am I right? Does it have something to do with the proximity of the rail centers (where these Anglo Indians used to work)?
I also seem to remember there were several Anglo Indian schools there – Doveton Corrie, St Aloysius, St Mathias among others – I have played high school cricket against most of them – won a few!! They used to come to Adyar to plat their games – we had the largest school grounds then.
Hari can confirm this – he would probably say that Chindadripet is the haven for the Anglo Indian comunity
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Vepery and Royapuram were AI centres. I don’t think P’wakkam was.
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Hari, you must be right. I may be getting my places wrong here.
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