A stroll to memorialise history

MEGHANA SREE R MAGINE a 116-acre park nestled in the very heart of Chennai, complete with lush greenery, a zoo, and waterbodies as far as the eye could see.

-  MEGHANA SREE R

MAGINE a 116-acre park nestled in the very heart of Chennai, complete with lush greenery, a zoo, and waterbodies as far as the eye could see. This was once the vibrant reality of My Ladies Park in Periyamet, a locale also known as Periamedu. However, presently, the park has dwindled down to a compact garden, one of the last vestiges of a once resplendent place of recreation and relaxation.

Earlier, in the late 1800s, this verdant enclosure was known by the name 'People's Park', and the often untold history of this park was one of the highlights of a cultural heritage walk hosted by Madras Inherited.

On the morning of April 28, eager souls gathered on Raja Muthiah Road, then journey to Vepery High Road, soaking in the area's cultural significance. Much of Periamedu's history is now tucked away in nooks and crannies, almost buried under modern commercial structures, but the guide for the day, Ashmitha Athreya, unravelled hidden secrets and uncovered stories that are rarely discussed.