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Karikal Lane

Key features
Karikal is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on the Coromandel coast. It used to be a French territory and is well known for a famous Hindu temple located there. It is not known why Karikal lane was named after this town. One probable reason is that it was due to the presence of the majestic Renaissance Grand Hotel in its vicinity. The Renaissance Grand Hotel or Grand Hotel, as it was popularly known was also known as Karikal Mahal or Karikal Palace after owner's home town. Originally owned by Moona Kadir Sultan, a wealthy Indian cattle merchant, it boasted of majestic flamboyance. Moona Kadir Sultan bought the land in 1917 and erected his mansion in 1920 at a cost of $500,000. Resplendent fountains, a miniature lake and enchanting angel figurines drew people to his villa. Beyond the hotel yard, the crash of the sea waves serenaded the air. It was converted into a hotel in 1947 and still stands in its near original form.

In 1973, the government acquired the land for the purpose of constructing roads. Still Road was constructed there and Grand Hotel was split into two, one side of the road with the mansion and the other side with the mansion's garden. It was only decades later that Marine Parade was developed from reclaimed land and other nearby roads came up. Another road with the same name Karikal called Karikal Road used to exist nearby and it ran parallel to Karikal Lane. In developments that followed after land reclamation, this road ceased to exist. Karikal Road was in fact a part of Still Road, as after crossing East Coast Road, Still Road used to continue as Karikal Road. The ends of Karikal Road and Karikal Lane were connected to each other to form a rectangular enclosure. Karikal lane was lined with quaint little houses that continue to exist till today. These pretty little houses are fine examples of Singapore's colonial architecture. CHIJ Katong Primary school lies in the vicinity of the road.



Author
Naidu Ratnala Thulaja



References 
Dunlop, P. K. G. (2000). Street names of Singapore (pp. 169, 291). Singapore: Who's Who Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 DUN)

Edwards, N., & Keys, P. (1996). Singapore: A guide to buildings, streets, places (pp. 302-303 ). Singapore: Times Books International.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 EDW)

Kong, L., & Chang, T. C. (2001). Joo Chiat: A living legacy (pp. 53). Singapore: Archipelago Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 KON)

Savage, V. R., & Yeoh, B. S. A. (2003). Toponymics: A study of Singapore street names (p. 215). Singapore: Eastern Universities Press.
(Call no.: RSING 915.9570014 SAV)

Survey Department. (1961). Singapore: Guide and street directory (p. 119). Singapore: Survey Department.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 SSD) 

The information in this article is valid as at 2003 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Streets and Places
Ethnic Communities
Street names--Singapore
Urbanization--Singapore
Arts>>Architecture>>Public and commercial buildings



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