Southern Avenue The Green House of Calcutta

Joydip Sur

Russian born American Writer and Novelist, Ayn Rand had once remarked, “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads, armed with nothing but their spirit to explore new avenues”. With this wonderful thought in mind, this month we will take you on a trail to rediscover Southern Avenue – one of Calcutta’s most beautiful thoroughfares stretching from Gol Park in the east to S.P. Mukherjee Road in the west.

In the early 1920s, the Calcutta Improvement Trust (CIT), a body responsible for developmental work in the Calcutta metropolitan area, acquired about 192 acres of marshy jungles. Their intention was to develop the area for residential use, which led them to improve the roads, raising and levelling some of the adjacent land and building lakes and parks.

As per the Calcutta Municipal Gazette dated December 24, 1932, the 120 feet road opposite Tollygunge Police Station was ready in1932 and the corporation’s vide notification dated December 20, 1932 proposed naming it as Southern Avenue. The proposal was approved and the road was officially named Southern Avenue on February 26, 1940. The road was 2567 yards in length, 150 feet in width and cost the government a sum of Rs. 1,35,30,430 to complete.

Southern Avenue was later renamed as Meghnad Saha Sarani in commemoration of the services rendered by the great scientist in the field of Nuclear Physics. He put forward an “ionization formula” which explained the presence of the spectral lines. In 1952 he stood as an independent candidate for Parliament and was elected by a wide margin. He died on February 16, 1956 due to a heart attack. Meghnad Saha lived in Keyatala Lane by the side of Southern Avenue. Today a statue of the great scientist stands on the western fringe of Southern Avenue.

Shaded with russa, deodar, banyan, neem, coconut, beetle nut and eucalyptus trees on both the sides of the road, Southern Avenue is as beautiful and green as any road can get. As you begin your journey from Gol Park and walk westwards, on your left stands The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (RKM). This branch of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, started functioning in 1938. The institute is well known for its philanthropic, educational and cultural activities. Based on the philosophy of the unity of human life, the institute endeavours to make people aware of the richness of different cultures all over the world and of the need for intercultural appreciation and understanding. The institute has grown over the years and is now housed at its present magnificent building which was completed in 1960. This is beyond doubt one of the most prominent landmarks of Southern Avenue.

Bang opposite to RKM are a number of small food joints. Nibble on a sandwich from Upper Crust, dig into chowmein and momos at The Grub Club and binge on rolls at Tongue Twister. Don’t forget the fast food at Zaika. Tucked away next to all this food fare is the Golpark Guest House which offers accommodation to travellers. Indthalia, Whatsup Cafe are some of the other popular joints on Southern Avenue.

As you continue your journey westward, on your left lies Rabindra Sarobar more popularly known as Dhakuria Lake. A number of rowing and swimming clubs are situated within the Rabindra Sarovar complex. A large number of people come for a walk around the lake in the mornings to enjoy the fresh air. Many visit the sunrise point to offer their prayers to the Sun God. During the day, the lake is visited by families on a picnic, or by young lovers and joggers.

In the winter, one can spot some migratory birds around the lake, though the numbers are dwindling because of the rise in pollution level. The lake itself is home to many varieties of fish. On the southern fringe of the Rabindra Sarobar lies the only Japanese Buddhist temple in Calcutta. The complex also contains Lions Safari Park, Nazrul Manch and an enclosed children’s play park with a lily pool. A toy train, operational between 1985 and 1989, was a popular draw for children. Its tracks still circumscribe the lake.

As you continue with your journey westward, on your right is Viekananda Park. This park is home to a number of cricket clubs. Adjacent to the park is a very popular puchka and chaat joint. Hundreds throng this joint every evening to dig into lip smacking street fare. One very interesting feature of Southern Avenue is its string of high-rise apartment buildings. Some of the popular addresses are Green View, Abhisarika, Rajeswari, Ashoka, Avenue House, Shabari and Sarobar.

One of the important places on Southern Avenue is the Birla Academy of Art and Culture Museum which was established in 1966. Collections include paintings of the mediaeval period as well as modern art and some archaeological specimens. The Museum holds regular exhibitions of modern Indian sculptors and painters. A few steps from here will bring you to the Lake Kalibari, a renowned Kali temple visited by hundreds of devotees every single day.

As you continue to walk westwards, on your left stands the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 26,000 people. It was established in the 1950s and is today, the city’s first stadium to be fully equipped with audio-visual training facilities.

A few hundred metres from here will bring you to the Southern Avenue and S. P. Mukherjee Road crossing where the avenue ends. It was an amazing experience for us to explore this breathtaking thoroughfare and we urge you to go on this trail to experience the beauty of Southern Avenue.