Namma Madras Rediscoverd
Madras Woodlands Hotel
In a small village in South Kanara, Karnataka state, Kadandale (grinding stone, in Kannada), there lived a priest eking out a modest living. To this archaka, on October 21, 1898 was born a son. The father named him as Krishna, the child's grandfather's name. The child was underfed, illiterate, being taken out of school to help around the house, ill-clothed. But the child pulled on.
He worked in 8 different mutts there, but did not get any economic advance. A severe bout of Malaria and he was sent back home. When better, he worked as helper in a village eatery - drawing water, dishwashing, grinding flour for idli and dosai. Grinding flour in the stone mortars seemed to be his destiny (his native village was Kadandale, you see). He used to get Rs 3.00 per month as salary.
His brother-in-law Ranganna came one day from Madras and took Krishna to Madras; Krishna reached Madras like Dick Whittington! He started working first as a house servant in George Town at 5/- a month. washing, sweeping, and yes, grinding flour! Three months later, he joined a "hotel" in Thambu Chetty Street, at 8/- a month. Then at a restaurant at Post Office Street at 20/- a month. He progressed from a cleaner, to helper, to server and then to junior cook, but work remained the same !! Krishna used to sleep on the pavements. Life continued on and on ...
Years later, the owner of this restaurant was impressed by the young Krishna, made him a tempting offer. The owner had one more "hotel" at Acharappan Street, in George Town, not far from Kalikamba Koil, and this hotel was not doing well and the owner asked Krishna if he would be interested in buying it. Krishna agreed, became a "self-employed professional" but his work and lifestyle remained the same.
Here at this Acharappan Street hotel, a full cup of filter coffee was 1 1/4 anna, two idlies one anna, full lunch 4 annas, fruit salad and ice cream were 2 annas each. [16 annas make one rupee]. Even with this price, Krishna was making a daily profit of Rs 100 !! But, Krishna dreamt still big, something different. He desired a change in location. George Town won't do, I have to move to more fashionable Mount Road, he desired. And so he moved to Mount Road after closing down the restaurant. Even today you can see the past remains there.
He set up shop at Round Tana as Udipi Sri Krishna Vilas - the FIRST modern vegetarian restaurant in the whole of Madras. Well-lit, nicely constructed, with marble-topped tables. Special sections for Brahmins, non-Brahmins, Muslims - and they all flocked there for the vegetarian specialities of Udipi. [The Round Tana is where Mount Road turns to Wallajah Road of Thiruvallikkeni , opp Head Post office, where the statue of Annadurai is located].
Credit from his suppliers, low prices, and taste ensured large turnovers and greater profits - Krishna, now middle-aged was called Krishna Rao, made a success. The boom necessitated a partner, and a second and bigger restaurant - there was one UDIPI hotel nearby in Mount Road itself. Later the partners separated ways, Krishna Rao retained this Udipi Hotel, in 1933. Seven years later, the former Udipi Krishna Vilas was also offered to Krishna Rao and he bought it.
Now, Krishna Rao dreamt of "a real hotel" not "another" hotel !! When a building contractor offered a large bungalow of Raja of Ramnad opposite Wesley School, in Royapettah, Krishna Rao took it on 10-year lease at a rent of 500.00/month. The building was located in a lush green park, so Krishna Rao named it as WOODLANDS HOTEL. The Woodlands Legend began ..... It was 1938.
There were 45 rooms in this "royal palace" with spacious and colorful gardens, and did a roaring business, Rs. 2.50 a day rent for single room with all meals from breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Rs 5 to Rs 10.00 per day for double rooms (bf, lunch, dinner included). [OMG, why wasn't I born before 1930 ???]
Soon, this Woodlands became the No 1 hotel in entire Chennai (why not). At the end of the 10-year-period the lease was not renewed! Then Krishna Rao had to look out for a new property. There was this 4-acre property owned by AMM Murugappa Chettiar at Edward Elliot's Road (present Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore) and they were offering it for Rs 2.5 lakhs. In 1952, it was a large sum then. But Krishna Rao plunged in. The mansion there was turned into NEW WOODLANDS HOTEL. A kalyana mandapam, one temple, cottages for marriage party, a decent covered stage for concerts, and meetings, air conditioned comfortable rooms, swimming pool, the finest in vegetarian cuisine, and impeccable service had it made the finest veg hotel in Madras.
Then came WOODLANDS Drive-in opposite to this hotel, in 1962. New York, Singapore, and in many other cities abroad and in India have their own Woodlands Hotel.
What a man. What achievements!
from MADRAS REDISCOVERED by S. Muthiah.
{more write-ups on Madras to follow}
Rajappa
10-08-2017
Madras Woodlands Hotel
In a small village in South Kanara, Karnataka state, Kadandale (grinding stone, in Kannada), there lived a priest eking out a modest living. To this archaka, on October 21, 1898 was born a son. The father named him as Krishna, the child's grandfather's name. The child was underfed, illiterate, being taken out of school to help around the house, ill-clothed. But the child pulled on.
He worked in 8 different mutts there, but did not get any economic advance. A severe bout of Malaria and he was sent back home. When better, he worked as helper in a village eatery - drawing water, dishwashing, grinding flour for idli and dosai. Grinding flour in the stone mortars seemed to be his destiny (his native village was Kadandale, you see). He used to get Rs 3.00 per month as salary.
His brother-in-law Ranganna came one day from Madras and took Krishna to Madras; Krishna reached Madras like Dick Whittington! He started working first as a house servant in George Town at 5/- a month. washing, sweeping, and yes, grinding flour! Three months later, he joined a "hotel" in Thambu Chetty Street, at 8/- a month. Then at a restaurant at Post Office Street at 20/- a month. He progressed from a cleaner, to helper, to server and then to junior cook, but work remained the same !! Krishna used to sleep on the pavements. Life continued on and on ...
Years later, the owner of this restaurant was impressed by the young Krishna, made him a tempting offer. The owner had one more "hotel" at Acharappan Street, in George Town, not far from Kalikamba Koil, and this hotel was not doing well and the owner asked Krishna if he would be interested in buying it. Krishna agreed, became a "self-employed professional" but his work and lifestyle remained the same.
Here at this Acharappan Street hotel, a full cup of filter coffee was 1 1/4 anna, two idlies one anna, full lunch 4 annas, fruit salad and ice cream were 2 annas each. [16 annas make one rupee]. Even with this price, Krishna was making a daily profit of Rs 100 !! But, Krishna dreamt still big, something different. He desired a change in location. George Town won't do, I have to move to more fashionable Mount Road, he desired. And so he moved to Mount Road after closing down the restaurant. Even today you can see the past remains there.
He set up shop at Round Tana as Udipi Sri Krishna Vilas - the FIRST modern vegetarian restaurant in the whole of Madras. Well-lit, nicely constructed, with marble-topped tables. Special sections for Brahmins, non-Brahmins, Muslims - and they all flocked there for the vegetarian specialities of Udipi. [The Round Tana is where Mount Road turns to Wallajah Road of Thiruvallikkeni , opp Head Post office, where the statue of Annadurai is located].
Credit from his suppliers, low prices, and taste ensured large turnovers and greater profits - Krishna, now middle-aged was called Krishna Rao, made a success. The boom necessitated a partner, and a second and bigger restaurant - there was one UDIPI hotel nearby in Mount Road itself. Later the partners separated ways, Krishna Rao retained this Udipi Hotel, in 1933. Seven years later, the former Udipi Krishna Vilas was also offered to Krishna Rao and he bought it.
Now, Krishna Rao dreamt of "a real hotel" not "another" hotel !! When a building contractor offered a large bungalow of Raja of Ramnad opposite Wesley School, in Royapettah, Krishna Rao took it on 10-year lease at a rent of 500.00/month. The building was located in a lush green park, so Krishna Rao named it as WOODLANDS HOTEL. The Woodlands Legend began ..... It was 1938.
There were 45 rooms in this "royal palace" with spacious and colorful gardens, and did a roaring business, Rs. 2.50 a day rent for single room with all meals from breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Rs 5 to Rs 10.00 per day for double rooms (bf, lunch, dinner included). [OMG, why wasn't I born before 1930 ???]
Soon, this Woodlands became the No 1 hotel in entire Chennai (why not). At the end of the 10-year-period the lease was not renewed! Then Krishna Rao had to look out for a new property. There was this 4-acre property owned by AMM Murugappa Chettiar at Edward Elliot's Road (present Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore) and they were offering it for Rs 2.5 lakhs. In 1952, it was a large sum then. But Krishna Rao plunged in. The mansion there was turned into NEW WOODLANDS HOTEL. A kalyana mandapam, one temple, cottages for marriage party, a decent covered stage for concerts, and meetings, air conditioned comfortable rooms, swimming pool, the finest in vegetarian cuisine, and impeccable service had it made the finest veg hotel in Madras.
Then came WOODLANDS Drive-in opposite to this hotel, in 1962. New York, Singapore, and in many other cities abroad and in India have their own Woodlands Hotel.
What a man. What achievements!
from MADRAS REDISCOVERED by S. Muthiah.
{more write-ups on Madras to follow}
Rajappa
10-08-2017
Comments