Jhutkas had a long existence in Madras. Philanthropists built shelters for them. Bandi Venkatesa Naicker Street in Thiruvallikeni commemorates one. There was another endowed by Lodd Govinddoss, which survived till recently opposite Ripon Buildings.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
Two thoroughfares in Chennai commemorate carts. Cart Track Street is in Mambalam and Cart Track Road in Velachery. There is a Driver Street in Pudupet, though the driver of what kind of vehicle is unclear. But taken together, they bring to mind the era when these were important modes of transport in the city. To get an idea of the sheer variety of carts, carriages, and similar vehicles drawn by animals early in 20th Century Madras, we need to turn to K.N. Kesari in his memoirs Chinnanati Muchatlu. He writes that bullock carts and horse carriages were the popular means of travel for the well to do. Businessmen preferred the fast-moving rekla. “There is a seat and children can sit leaning back on the driver. It is light in weight and can pick up great speeds.” The rekla is even today sometimes seen, and at one time in the Park Town Annual Fair, conducted by the South Indian Athletic Association, there would be rekla races.
