This is one of the busiest roads in Chennai in the morning. Everywhere people’s heads were bending around the road. The sound of the bus on one side and the voices of traders trading on the other. I am telling you about the flower shop located on Chennai Broadway.
Have you noticed the huge statue of George in Chennai Broadway-Pookadai area…? Even if you don’t notice, it’s not surprising. The reason is that the George statue, which was once the main symbol of Chennai, has lost its originality.
Who is this George? – He was George V, the second son of the Prince of Wales, born in London on June 3, 1865. He joined the Navy at the age of 18. But the naval voyage did not last long for George. The reason is that George’s brother dies unexpectedly, forcing him out of the Navy. After the death of George’s father in May 1910, he became King of Britain. George V was considered as the King of India during the period when India was under British rule.
George was somewhat different from the previous monarchs of Britain. He tried to improve the lives of his people unlike the reigns of his grandmother Queen Victoria and his father Edward VII. Thus, George had good influence with the British people.
King George’s connection with India: During his reign, George visited India for business purposes. At that time, the main areas of Chennai were White Town, which was considered as the seat of the British, i.e. the current headquarters area. Blacktown was also the area around it. But the Tamils here did not like the name Black Town. They requested King George to change the name of Blacktown when he came to India. Following this, the area was named George Town. This George Town is now not only the commercial part of Chennai city but also has important government offices where St. George Fort is now, Lighthouse, Old British Gallery, Chennai High Finance Board and some foreign offices.
As a special part of this renaming event, Indian sculptor MS Nagappa carved a 10 feet tall statue of King George near the present Pookadai police station in 1914. This is how the statue of George came here.
George Town aka Paris: George Town was the starting point for the development of our now sprawling Chennai. One of the most important commercial areas in George Town is the large market called Kothdawal Sawadi. Traders from outside areas also trade in fruits and nuts in this market. It is a market that is visited by such a large number of people.
Next is Parma Bazaar. Burma Bazaar is the place where you can find everything from electronics at very cheap prices. This bazaar was once run by refugees from Burma. But now the light of Burma Bazaar is slowly fading.
George Statue Parking Area: The statue of George V, who changed the name of Black Town, which was the beginning of Chennai’s development, to George Town as a result of the people’s demand, is now seen falling into disrepair without anyone noticing. The grounds surrounding the statue have been converted into parking areas. Also, plants and bushes have grown around the statue. Some people also use the other side as a closet.
Also, there are posters and graffiti on the statue. Not only George V, but many other statues that tell the history of Chennai are in such a pitiable condition. Our histories are passed on to the next generation through monuments. Taking this into consideration, the activists demand that the historical places and statues found in Chennai should be properly maintained.