Rust gathering dust: Chennai's only 83-year-old printing press still stands strong

The press has machines that are over 80 years old and have been in the same position since the press started.

Inside a shop with faded and peeling green coloured walls, sits CN Ravamanickam, the third generation owner of Green & Co Parvathi Press, an 83-year-old printing and binding shop. | Express Photo 

A native of Chengalpattu, Manickam's grandpa Chengalvaraya, worked under Sold & Co, another press in Triplicane after which he headed to Burma and Bombay for work. | Express Photo

'Here we used to compose every word by hand, print it on paper, cut and bind it manually,” he recalls and walks us through the type cases in dusty cabinets. | Express Photo

The factories that manufacture these type cases have now closed, and Manickam says that they are used only when a customer gives a special order for manual prints. | Express Photo

With his children moving to IT sector, Manickam says they aren’t interested in the business. “I will do this as long as I can. This is a legacy that I wouldn’t think of giving up!' | Express Photo