Sat Sep 13 04:57:51 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**

**Chennai Historian’s Tram Ticket Collection Offers a Ride Through Time**

Thirupurasundari Sevvel, an architect, urban planner, and historian based in Chennai, India, is using a collection of vintage tram tickets to unlock the history of the city. Sevvel began collecting the tickets, some dating back to the 1910s, during her master’s research on Triplicane. Inspired by heritage enthusiast S.A. Govindaraju, she recognized the value of everyday objects in telling the city’s story. Her archive includes tickets printed in Tamil, English, and Spanish, detailing routes and fares that once powered Chennai’s commute. Sevvel, also a founder of “Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai,” meticulously preserves these fragile documents and has compiled a booklet on the history of Madras trams, motivated by a past proposal to revive trams in the city. Her dedication highlights the importance of preserving historical artifacts and understanding Chennai’s rich past.

**News Article:**

**Chennai Historian’s Tram Ticket Trove Unlocks City’s Past**

**Chennai, India – September 13, 2025** – A collection of vintage tram tickets is offering a unique glimpse into the history of Chennai, thanks to the dedication of local architect, urban planner, and historian, Thirupurasundari Sevvel. Sevvel, a founder of the multidisciplinary initiative “Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai,” has been meticulously collecting these artifacts since 2011, recognizing their power to transport us back in time.

Inspired by heritage enthusiast S.A. Govindaraju, Sevvel began accumulating tram tickets, some dating back to the early 20th century. These fragile slips of paper, printed in Tamil, English, and even Spanish, reveal the routes, fares, and regulations of the Madras Electric Tramways, which once formed the backbone of the city’s transportation system.

“I began to see the value of everyday objects in telling the story of a city,” Sevvel explained. Her collection includes rare bilingual tickets, offering a fascinating insight into Chennai’s linguistic landscape.

Driven by a desire to preserve these historical treasures, Sevvel trained in archival conservation, ensuring the longevity of her fragile documents. She has also compiled a booklet on the history of Madras trams, motivated by a past proposal to revive the tram system.

Sevvel’s work highlights the significance of preserving seemingly insignificant objects as valuable sources of historical understanding, providing a richer appreciation of Chennai’s vibrant past.

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