Chennai Charm
Madras (now Chennai) had always been the stereotype Madrasi voor for me. Chennai represented all that was South Indian - masala dosai, idly, bharatnatyam, MGR, Kamalahasan, Rajinikanth and all. In spite of having grown up in Bangalore, destiny seemed to have groomed me well enough to adapt to a Tamil surrounding. My best friend is school was a Tamilian, my neighbor Didis were Tamilians and family friends lived in Chennai. Although we lived in a place with lots of Anglo Indians in Bangalore, the slum dwellers across the bridge near my house frequently blared old Tamil film numbers on loudspeakers. My little mind then knew not what the songs meant yet I enjoyed them all the same humming them making others laugh in return.
My father’s chance posting landed my family and me in Madrasi land - Chennai. Ooh! I was warned about anti Hindi campaigns, about hatred against everything North Indian and all that ‘lottu-losku.’ I remember coming with bag and baggage to Chennai a day after MGR died. The roads were eerily lonesome, all the shutters were down and papers strewn on streets. Wow! What a welcome to my new home, I wondered silently. My father managed to get me that last minute admission in school, which was an English medium all right but where many students spoke Tamil to get that ‘bonding’ feeling I guess. I remember hesitating to speak the local language although I learnt the language surrounded by Tamil words filtering in my ears and brain, getting stored for future use. Here, I give due credit to my friends for bearing with my murdering pronunciation especially of words like Kuzhal Mozhi. I wondered then, as to why somebody would be called so. It was only later when I learnt the difference between La and Zha did I understand. Until then, I rocked my friends with my atrocious pronunciations!
The ride from home to school and back home carry many memories for me. Never having boarded a bus before, this was a new experience, learning all the tricks that required you to hold yourself without falling, avoiding those unwanted glares and body language. And, more than anything else, watching passengers of all ages and professions discussing almost everything under the sun. I would in fact, credit my Tamil mastery to all the bits and pieces of conversations that I heard while traveling by the green PTC. Pallavan Transport Corporation had become my Tamil dictionary!
Much before I frequented Pondy Bazaar and Ranganaathan Street, More Market was a terrible attraction selling all those imported goods at cheap rates. I still can flashback into that particular piece of history of mine and relish that feeling of exhilaration at having got a nice product for a good bargain. Fountain Plaza, Cisons Complex, Pondy Bazaar and Ranganaathan Street were some of the main shopping attractions for me. After Bangalore, Chennai had become home for me. It had become a storehouse of memories from G.K.Vale to St. Thomas Mount, from Higginbotham’s to Landmark. Buying second hand books with my friend Aruna on Mount Road, searching for that right paintbrush for my oil paintings from the shop near LIC Building. Much later, Mylapore became a favorite haunt what with my Math tuition for the 12th Std. being taken there. That phase exposed me to the Tamil Brahmin way of life in Chennai with different kinds of houses (agrahaarams), the maamis and the beautiful kolams spread right across the road.
When I think of Chennai, memories just come gushing out like a spring of colors on a painting board. I know Chennai is different now; a different modern culture has captured the imagination of Chennaites today. The IT boom has not spared it either. Many of my neighbors I grew up with are settled abroad - courtesy IT. But the spirit of the city remains the same. The Music Academy still religiously has its annual music festival in December. I remember attending the Reggae concert at Music Academy apart from the numerous English plays. The Alwarpet sales and exhibitions caught my imagination many a time frustrating friends and family alike!
The city is crowded now. Many youngsters in glamorous outfits zoom around on bikes and cars. Even though the temptations of competing with other metros are high in terms of style, lifestyle and values, thankfully the spirit of Chennai remains the same. Hospitable, simple, friendly people and delicious food are reasons enough for people across the globe to keep coming back here. Kudos to the Chennai spirit. Three cheers to the Chennai charm.
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By Shail Raghuvanshi
shailraghuvanshi AT yahoo Dot com
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You made me remember my first step in Bangalore, the same day, Raj Kumar, the highly popular actor of Karnataka was kidnapped by Veerappan. Entire city was burning. I remember, we were directly taken to a near by hotel from Railway station itself by the college staff.
Shail, it becomes a fun for local residents when we try to speak their language. They just enjoy us playing with their language, because sometimes we might sound sweet with few words or sentences.
And about Chennai, I have been there just once for business purpose and stayed in some area called Paris I guess. It was fun to eat out various south Indian dishes at different restaurants everyday
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
So nice of you to comment as you usually do for most people. Yes, places have a way of making their way into your hearts without you knowing it. Chennai is home to me as if it always was, the same way I felt when I was in Bangalore. And I suppose it could be the same if I was to spend some years in another place. Cities are certainly not inanimate things or places, they just grow on you and you begin to wonder, ‘can a city make you feel such?’
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Devang Vibhakar Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:51 am
Bangalore has been such a place for me as I have lived for 3 golden years there. Places like M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Jalahalli cross, Bagalkunte, Majestic area always remains fresh in my memory. I know those places would have been changed by now from what I have in my memory and would like to visit all such places one day, the same way I used to earlier!!
Devang Vibhakar´s last blog ..Chennai Charm
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:03 am
I know Devang. I have spent my childhood in Bangalore. And when I visited it again last year to attend a wedding I was shocked to some extent. Of course, nobody can snatch our memories from us even though the landscape may change. Will write a piece on Bangalore too soon.
Devang Vibhakar Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 am
That would indeed be great to hear of your experiences in Bangalore.
Very nice article, Shail. Really enjoyed reading this.It reminded me and took me back to all the sights and sounds of Chennai as I am a very infrequent visitor.
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:04 am
Thanks Beyniaz. I just love the place for what it has given to me: beautiful memories of friends, delicious eateries, adventure and fun and what not.
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Some of my friends who form part of my beautiful memories of Chennai city are absorbed in other things in life and prefer to keep away from the online world of sharing, blogging so it is going to be a Herculean task trying to get them to see this piece - my tribute.
Try, try and you will eventually succeed is the maxim. I shall stick to that.
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Lovely memories…thanks for introducing me to Chennai through your eyes…Now I’m sure of planning a trip soon…
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:38 am
That’s great Prerna. I would love to host you. The place is really lovely. Of course, like every city it has the traffic congestion, pollution etc but still the charm of the place is intoxicating.
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Very nice to read about a beautiful account of Chennai previously called as Madras! It has developed faster than Bangalore another beautiful garden city of India! I used to think had Madras had the the climate of Bangalore how wonderful it would have been! Though I live in Pondicherry, an erstwhile French colony, a window of France I frequently visit Madras! Your small article reminds me of the good old days now!
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Thanks Ramesh. Yes, it is indeed the good old days. Reminiscing about the past gives you that sweet bitter feeling. Chennai is like that to me. Nice to know that my article reminded you of the nice memories in Chennai.
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Thanks Shail for this interesting article on chennai. I am a resident of chennai for more than 3 decades. Leave alone the changes in the appearance of chennai, people have become more selfish, more aggressive, money minded in nature. The spirit of ‘give & take’ & ‘helping attitude’ has nearly vanished. If you help someone, others think you are a fool.
This may be the trend in other metros also.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Thanks Hari. The article is solely a personal point of view. Changes as you say have taken place and in today’s fast moving society evil trends, views and attitudes are bound to be there. We must find the positive aspect even in such things, that’s what I feel. That’s why Chennai still holds its charm for me.
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Nice article Shaili !
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Thanks Gourish. Nice of you to write in. Will send you a piece on Bangalore too soon.
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Hi Shail,
You article brought back a lot of wonderful memories, including our college tea and samosa. Last time I visited Chennai, I was shocked to see the change. Infact, I missed the old Madras but you are right about the people. My family and friends have not changed a bit and I am happy about it. When I read your article I can still picture us sitting in the class room or also when you gave me a ride in your bike to panagal park. I remember your flat and can still smell your mom’s bhindi fry. Wonderful days and amazing chennai!!!
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hi Brinda. How can we forget all those memories wherever we may be! I too remember with nostalgia all the times we shared together. So nice no if we could have a time machine and we could get transported to the good old days!
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Hi Shail,
It was wonderful reading your article on Madras.It has brought me back all the beautiful memories that I always cherish. It is also nice to read about the positive approach you have shown about our Chennai . I whole heartedly agree with what you have written, My warm pat to you. Thanks!
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Hi Aruna. So so good to see your comment. Never in my life had I ever imagined that I will see your comment on paper/online. Great. So, you are improving:)
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hi Shail aunty, i have seen that my Mom made a comment and you replied and also you put my Mom’s name in your catalog. Thanks for doing that. I love Chennai.
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Thanks dear Sai. So nice to see to your comment. I love Chennai too.
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Chennai people charm shows in their heart some people takes its been a advantage for them.
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now a days watch movies online from internet is best hobbies for me at chennai hotels.
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Thanks Muthu for commenting.
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