Azad History: An India Story

Inspired by the Indian Freedom Fighter Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, the founder’s friend S. M. Haneefa Sahib suggested the name Azad. Our founder changed his name to M. P. Azad and the Azad brand came into existence.

 

1940

Like most successful businesses in the history of mankind, Azad too had a humble beginning. It was founded by Meeran Pillai Pareed Kunju as a modest café at Vallakadavu at Trivandrum in 1940. Thus, Azad Pakka Travancore Biriyani was born.

 

1942

Azad Hotel moved to ‘Mayyanna Building’ on Marakkada Road at Chalai. It served delicious mutton and chicken delicacies from India’s southern tip. Only country chicken was used for all its chicken dishes.

 

1945

Azad opened at Overbridge, Trivandrum in Swami’s building in 1945. Azad Pakka Travancore Biriyani was priced at 90 paise in this era.

 

1964 Kollam

Nair Service Society (NSS) came into being in 1914 in Kerala. Its Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1964 at Asramam Maidhanam, Kollam – the first aerodrome of the British Raj. Till 1829, Kollam was the capital of the Travancore state and the quarters of the British Residency. The stall of Azad in the 50th anniversary celebrations of NSS became a huge hit. Respecting the popular demand Azad was opened at Kollam the same year.

 

1963

The year 1963 also saw a new branch at Chalai Bazaar.

 

1962

Azad Hotel opened at Mani Medai Junction at Nagercoil in 1962. 

 

Famine

During the famine in the 50s, it was prohibited to transport rice grains from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. Our founder transported cooked rice from Azad Nagercoil to Azad Trivandrum solving the problem of scarcity staying within the rules.

 

1965

Azad was opened at Royapettah, near the police station in 1965 at Madras. It was inaugurated by the famous actress and singer T. A. Mathuram.

 

1967 

Azad opened at Statue Junction at Trivandrum opposite to the Kerala Government Secretariat in 1967.

 

1972

Azad Lodge at Nagercoil was inaugurated in 1972 at Balamore Road by S. J. Sadiq Pasha, the then Tamil Nadu Cabinet Minister for Public Works.

 

Azad Gate

The south gate of the Kerala Government Secretariat came to be known as the Azad Gate. It became a landmark for the protesting groups and the journalists covering them. It is even used in news reports now.

 

Kerala Politics

Azad at Statue was a regular haunt for Kerala Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and political leaders of all parties – big and small. Politics became a discussion at many tables at Azad over a Biriyani or a cup of tea.

 

50 Paise Strike

AITUC Employees Union called a lightning strike at 12 noon at the end of the year in 1976 for 50 paise salary hike. They left the food to rot by refusing to serve the lunch they had cooked at 3 Azad Hotels – Chalai, Statue and Overbridge.

 

Prize Biriyani

Azad was so ingrained in the culture of Trivandrum that friendly bets always ended up with the winner bagging the Azad Pakka Travancore Biriyani as the bet prize. The best part was that the winner and loser turned up to dine together.

 

Tables Turned

At first, the strike was to close down the 3 Branches. Then, the strike turned to reopen the 3 Branches. Comrade N. Aravindan sat on a Satyagraha in a makeshift hut in front of the South Secretariat Gate called Azad Gate.

 

Reopening

Azad at Chalai and Statue Junction were opened after 3 months in 1977 as a result of the talks initiated by the then Kerala Labour Minister, Oommen Chandy. Azad Overbridge was reopened in a new building in 1980 by the Trivandrum Corporation Mayor. Fish was introduced at Azad.

 

Dubai

In 1988, Azad entered into the Dubai market by opening a home appliance store called Maxima Trading Company. Azad Restaurant was inaugurated at Naif Road, Dubai, in 1989 by Sheikh Abdulla Hamed Rostamani.

 

Kerala Riots

Azad Chalai was set on fire on December 30, 1982, as a part of the communal riots in Kerala. Our founder 
reacted to the news in a casual manner. He said, “Anyway, I was thinking of building a new one.” He passed away in 1983. Azad Chalai was reopened in a new building in 1985.

 

Kerala’s New Roads

Kerala’s first six lane track took 8 metres of the Azad Overbridge frontage pulling down half the building. It was reopened in 1997. Kothu Parotta, Kothu Kozhi and an elaborate seafood menu were introduced. Azad flagged off the worldwide Chinese cuisine wave in Kerala by introducing a wide range of Chinese dishes in 1997.

 

2000

Azad Hotel at Vazhuthacaud Junction was inaugurated in 2000.

 

Baking Venture 

Azad Group diversified into baking with Azad Bakers and Confectioners factory outlet at Cotton Hill, Vazhuthacaud in 2002, followed by the Overbridge and Medical College outlets. 

 

The Flagship Store

Big format Local Boutique Bakeries concept started with the opening of Bread Factory flagship store at Kowdiar in 2012. 

 

Closing Shop

Azad Statue was closed as the entire building was demolished for road widening. Madras and other destinations outside Kerala except Nagercoil were closed to focus on Trivandrum. We love Trivandrum and the city loves us.

 

2003 – 2010

Azad Medical College Junction was opened in 2003. A second restaurant opened at Vazhuthacaud Junction in 2007. Azad Pulimoodu came up in 2010.

 

2013 – 2014

Grills and Tawa dishes in chicken, mutton and seafood were introduced to serve a wide palette of delicacies for our customers.

 

2015

Azad Group diversified into the Tea -Time Moments of Trivandrum city – Tiny Meal Corporation was incorporated in 2015 and Chai Chai brand was created. At present Chai Chai has five branches.

 

Azad Overbridge

Azad Overbridge was rebranded to sport a contemporary feel in 2016.

 

AZAD STAR

Azad opens its first fine dine restaurant format in 2018 at Mall of Travancore – the first mall in Trivandrum. A new brand Azad Star is born. Azad opens up to the idea of a premium restaurant chain.

 

2022 

Azad at Lulu Mall Chai Chai opens at the largest mall in Kerala – Lulu Mall, Trivandrum.

 

2021

The second Azad Star opens as the first stand-alone city outlet of the brand at Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum.

 

HAHAHAHA!

Chai Chai was rebranded in 2021 during the pandemic  with a new brand voice.

 

2020

Bread Factory was opened at Nalanchira and became a landmark bakery and confectionery brand with its presence in the most number of city hotspots at Trivandrum. At present Bread Factory has five branches.

 

2024

Azad Corporate House The new Azad Corporate House is born after consolidating all the business verticals under a new strategic thinking. ‘The Star Flower’ is created as the new corporate identity to blossom the essence of the strategy: ‘Celebrate the Beauty of Unity’.

 

Heritage Hotels 

In 2024, the 84th year of operations Azad Hotel East Fort and Azad Hotel Chalai were rechristened as Azad Trivandrum Heritage.

 

Party Star 

Azad Party Star was launched as a lifestyle celebration brand in 2024.

Like most successful businesses in the history of mankind, Azad too had a humble beginning. It was founded by Meeran Pillai Pareed Kunju as a modest café at Vallakadavu, Trivandrum in 1940. Azad Pakka Travancore Biriyani was born.