smart street

While the survival of the ancient esoteric English fraternity is one of the many surprises that Park Street springs even now,the fact that the society still strictly bars the induction of women into its fold,provides a sharp contrast to the flagrant celebration of liberal narratives of social freedom that Park Street in the 21st century stands for.

“A lot has changed. People have a lot of expendable income now. We used to run a small charity clinic where the pavement dwellers from Park Street and slums all around used to come regularly. Since these people have stopped coming to our free clinic,I presume they are better off than their predecessors. There has definitely been an economic upheaval of sorts in Park Street again,” says Datta.

As Park Street gears up for its year-end ritual,usual debates about its changes are sparked. Supriyo Nandi of SPARK,a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the restoration and celebration of all that Park Street has stood,says,“The street wasn’t an overnight phenomenon. It was the epicentre of the country’s culture waves. However,today’s generation will only know it for the restaurants and the KFC or MacDonald’s outlets.” To make sure that Park Street’s history doesn’t go unnoticed to a new generation,SPARK with the state ministry of tourism has been organising the Park Street festival,the finale of which this year,will be held at Allen Park on December 25. “For a long time,there was a lot of complacence about the architecture and environment of Park Street. While the traffic fumes is still a threat,we have restored Allen Park and planted 2,000 saplings to save the patch of green,” said Nandy.

While Datta struggles to come to terms with the “general degeneration of culture”,which includes “women smoking cigarettes” and people picking up drunken fights,Shashi Puri,whose family runs Trincas feels otherwise. “The best of the country’s music talents came from Trincas. Biddu,Nondon Bagchi and so many others. The street,even as time passes,will retain the charm,” says Puri.

Interestingly,Trincas is one of the few restaurants that still manages to put up a live band every day,years after the bustling live music scene in Park Street died down.

“Places like Blue Fox have closed down,Moulin Rouge has dwindled into a second grade eatery Mocambo’s no more has a band playing,” says jazz icon Carlton Kitto,who played in Park Street in the seventies.

“The Park Street fire really shook us. It was impossible for us to even associate that such eventualities with Park Street. It has always had such a nice,pleasant vibe. What kept us here so long is the fact that so many communities live on this street. It’s truly cosmopolitan – an aspect that’s getting better with each day,” says Sandhya Puri,a resident of Park Street who has lived there for over 40 years.