The ancient modern city- Chennai

Celebrating Navarathiri in Chennai

2010-10-12T04:39:00.000-07:00

The other day, I visited a friend’s house for Kolu. For those who do not know, Kolu is a traditional doll festival durimg this time of the year in Chennai. Various dolls made from clay and other materials are arranged on a doll stand. Very often, the arrangements follow some theme. The theme at my friend’s house was “Nava Durgai.” Papers like the Hindu and the Adyar Times organize competitions and give away prizes to best-arranged Kolu. It is almost like a huge family affair at my friend’s house. Three generations of women–mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and the grandchild enthusiastically participate. The men in the house also contribute albeit in a smaller measure. Though Kolu is mainly celebrated in south India, it may surprise many to learn that a similar doll festival is celebrated in Japan also.

During this season, if one visits Mada Street in Mylapore, you are forgiven if you think that you are not in good old Chennai, but in some village fair far away. The area is bustling with activity with dolls displayed and sold in pavement shops all along the roads. Brisk sales are going on in the shops behind the shops also. Plastic dhabbas and small trinkets (generally given as present for those visiting the kolu) are arranged in a heap–so much so, that one cannot even see the name of the shop behind. Even shops like “Indra Stores” (my favourite shop) selling stainless steel and other vessels are stocked to the maximum capacity. All these shops offer good discounts during this period. It is best to walk around the Mada streets and not travel in a car and take a good look at all the goodies offered at throwaway prices. Be careful of your wallet though and safeguard it from pickpockets.

Walking in the Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai

2010-10-09T01:10:00.000-07:00

While walking this morning in the society today, I was thinking how fortunate I am to live in Besant Nagar, whch is close to the society. Surely, if my home is very far away, I will not even think of walking in this vast forest-like grounds in the heart of the city.
I get to meet many interesting people. Sometimes, I meet some walkers every day, but we just pass on with a small smile or a "good morning" each intent on walking or immersed in some thoughts,or listening to music on the ipod. There is a wonderful old couple, whom I meet almost every day. The husband is just 93 years young with a wonderful sense of humor. He is so active and even drives himself and his devoted wife everyday to the grounds. His wife, about ten years younger, is a wonderful old lady and just loves people. Sometimes, I feel very young while walking in the society since most of the co-walkers are either in the sixties or seventies though I am in early fifties myself.
Almost every day I meet some bird watcher or the either.There are plenty of rare birds on the grounds. My sister, a fellow walker, claims that is a family of four small owls on a tree near the entrance. She stands there very often admiring them. After overnight rain, I see snails, big and small, laboriously crossing the walking path. I pause quite often to admire them and am very careful not to step on them.Very often, a family of mongooses quickly darts playfully across the path. People claim that there are plenty of snakes in the society though I am yet to see a single one. ( I hope I don't meet one either. I hate snakes.)
The path I like best is the one running parallel to the Adayar river. It is so beautiful in the morning. One hears sounds of fishermen fishing in the shallow waters and bringing in their catch. Further down the path is a small gate which leads to the beach. It is almost like a private beach with only walkers here and there. The beach here is much cleaner than the Marina or the Ellliots.One can see the Adayar river entering the sea from this point.During the Olive Ridley hatching season, one can see a protected enclosure wherein the eggs are stored. The baby turtles are let out into the sea batch by batch. It is a fascinating sight to see the baby turtles walking unhesitantly towards the sea. A huge crowd is usually present cheering them on.

The picture you see in the blog is a tall cactus plant in full bloom!

Enthiran-The Robot

2010-10-08T04:38:00.000-07:00

By now, every Indian would have at least heard of Rajnikant's latest starrer " Enthiran" (Robot in Hindi). it is touted to be the costliest Indian film ever made. The producers are said to have spent about Rs 170 to 200 crores. Only time will tell whether the film will make a profit though tall claims are made by the producers.
I saw Enthiran, Rajni's new superman movie and enjoyed it.Undoubtedly, it is a lot better than his last movie, Shivaji. The first half of Enthiran was a complete entertainer,comical in some parts. The first half managed to raise quite a few laughs. The second half was a bit of a bore with a lot of CGs. The second half was too long with a lot of songs crammed in too. A. R. Rahman's music was quite good with fantastic songs. Rajni was well, Rajni. The scientist saw a sober, older, Rajni.The good robot was a riot. The wicked one was comically evil. Rajni looked his age in most part. Ash was looking gorgeous, but I fear that age is also catching up with her.It was fun watching the movie at Satyam along with other raucous fans on the first day of the film's release. All in all, Enthiran is surely worth at least one watch.

Chennai's own botanical garden

2010-04-12T00:03:00.000-07:00

By now, all Chennaites have sort of grown used to the absence of the Drive-in Woodlands.But I wonder sometimes whether we will ever get used to it. Frankly, I still think of it and miss it a lot!
However, in its place. a new botanical garden is coming up fast.Nature lovers are in for a real treat!
Bamboo trees have already been planted near the compound wall opposite the American Consulate.Tress and pruned plants have also been planted, and a pond has been constructed. The garden will have the existing tree cover in place and also some exotic plants. Some rare plants will be housed in an exclusive place.
Separate enclosures are being constructed to house separate varieties- bonsai, herbs, and medicinal plants.
A cascade fountain, aroma garden, and a butterfly garden will also find a place here.
Seats will be constructed below the existing trees, and an amphitheater will also come up shortly.
A food court and a children's park will complete the picture.
The botanical garden is sure to become a family destination, ideal for an evening out.

Police Lawyer Clash at the Chennai High Court

2009-03-02T03:21:00.000-08:00

By now, you must have seen or at least heard of the clash between the city police and the lawyers inside the High Court premises.
These tensions are the off-shoot of incidents happening over the years-the constant heckling of the young policemen on court duty. Not even the policewomen are spared by some bad elements the lawyers numbering about some fifteen to twenty lawyers. These young policewomen suffer eve-teasing and constant heckling from some lawyers.It is these lawyers that is holding the state to ransom and also forcing the other lawyers not to attend to their duty.
The grim situation raises some serious disturbing questions? Are these lawyers who are so concerned about the Srilankan Tamils not at all concerned about the plight of the Tamils in Tamilnadu,? The courts have functioned just for ten days in the past two months.. And justice delayed is justice denied!
Are lawyers above the law and are they being permitted to behave in whatever manner they choose because they are sure that they will not be arrested?
Isn't it time to cleanse the system and get these twenty-something lawyers punished for their offensive behaviour?Permanently bar them from entering the court premises so that the judicial systems and procedures can be conducted in peace and without fear?
When are the judiciary and the other decent and law-abiding lawyers ( who are the majority) going to rise in protest, and when are they going to act before the judicial system is permanently scarred?

Police and the lawyers have to work towards a reconciliation and sort out this issue once and for all as they are the two arms of the law-system in any civilised society and have to work together to mantain peace.

Woodlands Drive-In Restaurant

2008-08-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Drive-In which has been a part and parcel of Chennai for a long long time has disappeared, and so is a small part of the soul of Chennai. For long, the restaurant used to be a favorite haunt of many. People used to meet there, and linger for long after the cup of coffee. The famed PB Srinivas, yesterday playback singer, used to literally make the restaurant his second home.I think he got many a inspiration there for I have always seen him writing something in his book. During the sixties, the restaurant used to be a really posh place. The tables and chairs were all cane, and each table was covered with pristine white tablecloth. The tablecloth was changed after each meal.The cutlery was all new and porcelain, and the meals were served with a fork, spoon, and a knife. I am sure that recent memories of the restaurant would make these fond recollections of mine difficult to digest. The restaurant had been slowly running to seed the past few years. Probably, the management knew that the lease would not be renewed. The cutlery was sometimes chipped. The porcelain plates were all the more hardy stainless steel plates. The tables and chairs and in general the decor was bad. The menu was not improved and remained the same for the last fifty years. But to its credit, the masala dosa was always the same, and one never got a stomach problem after eating at the Drive-In. Inspite of all the drawbacks, the restaurant still used to draw huge family crowds especially during the weekends, though there plenty of new swankier eating spots in Chennai. The main advantage of the Drive-In was the huge drive, expanse of space surrounded by giant leafy trees, plenty of chirping birds. The ambience will sorely be missed in Chennai!

Chennai sans Hoardings!

2008-08-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I returned in the first week of June after a two-month holiday in the US. The ugly and huge hoardings which were part and parcel of Chennai's skyline had all disappeared! One could now actually see the old massive trees in front of some buildings. Of course, most of them have been chopped mercilessly to make the hoardings more visible.But I am reaaly happy that the Corporation of Chennai is at last pulling up its socks and doing some work. In the past, all the local politicians always used to go on harping about making Chennai a world-class city, but nobody actually did anything. I feel the present Corporation Commissioner and the Mayor are coperating well, and doing something concrete for the city. Though I feel happy that the hoardings have all gone, my teenage daughter disagrees.She actually missses them, saying that they used to add color and life to the city. I am not sure whether all the younger lot feel the same way!

Chennai Sangamam 2008

2008-01-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

Chennai is the place to be in December and January especially for music and art lovers.The yearly music festival is on throughout the Sabhas in Chennai.Now,there is another festival going on in Chennai. Chennai Sangamam Festival 2008 was inaugurated at the IIT Open Air Theater on 10 January.The mascot of the festival is a bull named Marimuthu. The theme of inaugural function was the festival Pongal which is round the corner, and environment.The festival of Pongal was depicted in colorful art forms,dances accompanied by good music. The festival of Pongal and its significance was explained in the voice of the mascot.Marimuthu spoke of the garbage in the streets and how there is plastic everywhere on the roads,degrading the environment.Children from the Corporation Schools formed the majority of the dancers. They made a vow to preserve their culture, and stop pollution. The message was that the Generation Next had awakened. The chief guest of the evening was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Like last year, the festivals will be conducted in the various parks,beaches and street corners.It will conclude on 16 January.

A new world class library for Chennai!

2008-01-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

There is good news for book lovers.Chennai will be the first Indian city to get a world class library soon. On the governement land at Kotturpuram earmarked for a new secretariat by the old AIADMK Government,The DMK Governement has now decided to build a huge library costing about RS 120 crores. The library will be housed in a total area of about eight acres.The design for the library will be finalized after floating a global tender. It will be on the lines of the library at Singapore. The library will be completed by April 2010.
The building will have eight floors and will have a plinth area of more than 300000 sq ft. The library can house about 1250 book lovers at the same time, and can accomodate about 11.5 lakh books. The complex will also have a separate auditorium with a capacity of 1280 people, and a amphitheater on the terrace.
The ground floor will have a Braille and a talking book section, two conference halls, and a internet cafe. The first floor will be exclusively for children.The Tamil books will be housed on the second floor, English books on the third, and books on Dravidian languages other than Tamil on the fourth floor. The fifth floor will stock back issues of newspapers and periodicals. The Government documents will be preserved on the sixth floor. Collections from donors and a audio visual section will be housed on the seventh floor.The eight floor will have rare books, a preservation unit, and digitial libraries.

Chennai Metro!

2008-01-10T06:41:00.001-08:00

Close on the heels of Calcutta and New Delhi, Chennai will also have its own Metro Rail. The project costing a mammoth Rs 9757 Crores was announced by the Central Government as a Diwali Gift for
Chennai. The Tamil Nadu and the Central Governement will chip in with the money.Money will also be borrowed from a Japanese Bank. The project will commence in the latter half of 2008 and finish in about four to five years. The Metro will be partly underground and be about 40 kilometers in length. it will run in two corridors. One corridor will connect Washermanpet to the Airport touching Egmore, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Saidapet and Guindy. The underground portion will be between Anna Salai and Saidapet.
The second corridor will run between Fort Station,and St Thomas Mount via Poonamallee High Road, Aminjakarai, Anna Nagar, Thirumanagalam, Koyambedu, Ashok Nagar and Alandur.The underground section will be between Poonamallee High Road and Thirumangalam.

Chennai is 368 years young !

2007-08-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Chennai celebrated its 368th birthday on Wednesday, 22nd 2007.Madras day is being celebrated for the past four years. This time, heritage walks and talks have been organized by the famous city historian S Muthiah and a few other people. This is a city still very deep rooted in culture, and which is growing modern at a breathtaking speed. Sadly, many of its heritage buildings have been pulled down and have given way to ugly multi storied buildings. Few people can forget the old Moore Market with its little shops , selling everything under the sun. One could pick up rare second hand books there. Recently, the old Bharat Insurance Building on Anna Salai was saved from the bull dozers by the Madras High Court. It is being renovated now.

Chennai is growing very fast .There seem to be new constructions coming up everywhere. One can see massive gleaming IT Parks on the Ring Road. The It Corridor (OMR) looks very inviting. The first stretch has been completed and hopefully the whole length of the road will be completed before 2008.

For those of you who do not live at Chennai, the price of one ground of land on that stretch (OMR) is a mind boggling Rs One Crore. Hard to imagine, huh!

Shivaji, Rajni, and After!

2007-08-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Shivaji, Rajni, and After!

The dust has finally settled in Chennai after Shivaji’s release. The movie is still running in Chennai’s theatres after about fifty days. Tickets are easily available, and one wonders if the movie is a hit because of the clever marketing gimmicks and all the hype created by the media. If the local Tamil media cried themselves hoarse over the movie’s release, even the national media were not far behind. NDTV, CNN IBN and other channels had exclusive shows devoted to the film. The film , according to the news is running to packed houses in Mumbai, Chandigarh, New Delhi and other places in North India. Astonishingly enough with no subtitles! Apparently, even the non-Tamil audience have taken to the film in a big way!

I had accompanied my teenage daughter along with some other young people to the preview of the movie in Abriami Theatre. It was on the night previous to the movie’s release in the theatres. There was a big crowd, and everywhere in the premises which were colourfully decorated, there were huge banners and cutouts of the superstar. There was an air of underlying excitement which only a Rajni film could create. As we were waiting to go inside, there was a ripple of excitement. The Petti ( the box containing the film reels) had arrived. Since the owner of the Abrimai Theatre had taken the distribution rights of the film in Chennai, the Pettis which were to be sent to other theatres, had also arrived at that theatre. The Pettis were all placed before a giant idol of a Hindu God ( I have forgotten which) and pooja performed.

Then the Pettis were taken to the respective theatres amid cheers. We then went to the theatre and saw the movie. When we were coming out of the theatre at about 1 am, one auto driver with folded hands asked me respectfully “ Amma, How was the movie”? I really didn’t know what to reply. Recognising a Rajni fan and not wanting to hurt his feelings I replied “Not Bad”.

As far as the movie was concerned, it was very colourful. I found it almost garish in places. It was gaudily opulent. Rajni certainly looked better than he looked in his last film. But age does take its toll! All the special effects done cannot camouflage his real age. It is also stupid the way he mouths dialogues like “Cool”! again and again. Another dialogue which comes to mind is “ Gimme me a break yaa”. One can expect such dialogues only from teenagers, and not from a man nearly sixty! As my friend’s fifteen-year old son, who is a huge Rajni fan said sadly “Rajni has become old”. Rajni should start doing roles more becoming his age and stature. But one thing is very clear from Shivaji’s release. Tamil films have come of age at least in the field of marketing!

Chennai Sangamam

2007-02-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

Politics and art are irrevocably entwined in Tamil Nadu. On February 20, the Chennai Sangamam was inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Shri Karunanidhi , who is himself a noted script writer and poet. Chennai Sangamam attempts to give the people a slice of Chennai, a city which accepts any innovation with ease and grace, while retaining its traditional charm and beauty.

It is presented by Tamil Maiyam, and the Department of Tourism and culture, Government of Tamil Nadu and will go on till February 26.It is called Namma Theru Vizha, ( Our Street Festival) and it will be mostly conducted on the streets and the parks and beaches in Chennai. Over 2500 artists from all over Tamil Nadu will take part in the week-long celebrations, Carnatic music concerts are also being held simultaneously.

It is planned to keep this festival an annual event, on the lines of the Edinburgh and New York Festival, to bridge the growing distance between art and the people.it will be part of the Pongal celebrations and will be a huge tourist attraction. It will be an event to showcase Tamil Nadu’s ancient folk art and culture. A majority of artists will be from rural Tamil Nadu

Reputed names from the carnatic music world will net king part in the festival.Chennai will also witness the ancient folk dances like Karagattam, puliattam, poikal kuthirai etc. Special dramas like Valli Thirumanam and Pavalakodi will be performed. The world famous Avigna Troupe will perform at the YMCA grounds at Royapettah.

In keeping with the city’s cosmopolitan image, a segment on Western classical Music has also been included. Also, traditional dances from the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka will be showcased.

Chennai Sangamam is for a cause. GIVE LIFE. Through GIVE LIFE, it will reach out to help the street children of Chennai. The large hearted people of Chennai are expected to contribute generously towards this project. The other project is The Green Chennai project. This will include a rally planting trees in schools, colleges and other open places.
The finale will at the Marina Beach on February 26.

Elliots Beach,Besant Nagar

The Chennai Corporation had made elaborate plans to modernise Elliots Beach. This means, of course, more concrete structures.But, fortunately for the residents of the locality and the public, the beach development plan was put up near the beach for public approval.The public shot it down ,ruling down structures on the sand itself.One of highlights of the earlier plan to construct a concrete path,cutting right across the sands, for the physically disabled to enable them to approach the sea, has been dropped.This path was to be lined with electric lamps and would have definitely marred the beach.Now,the plan envisages improvement of the existing path with a little landscaping on either sideThe new design will be taken up after further consultations with the public.

Second Desalination Plant for Chennai

Kipal Sibal,Union Minister announced on 28th July 2007 that Chennai would soon get a second desalination plant to alleviate the perennial water shortage in the city.Thanks to good rains lat year it is not experiencing any water problem this year.But it is evident that a permanent solution has to be found.Since Chennai is a coastal city,this is the only obvious solution.The cost of the water will be four paisa per litre of water.

2007-02-20T23:02:00.000-08:00