Chennai turns 382 years as the city celebrates ‘Madras Day’ today.
It was on August 22, 1639, that the village of Madrasapatnam was purchased by the East India Company from the Viceroy of the Vijayanagar empire.
The deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash’ Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers. It is believed that this deal was made on August 22, 1639. Out of the fort, grew settlements. Then the villages around it were brought together. And then, the old and new towns linked up. And then we had the city. <Source: https://themadrasday.in>
List of events from MadrasMusings for 2021
Every year, I look forward to Aug 22nd, cos it is the beginning of a series of events around Chenani – talks, walks, and more. Each one giving me a sneak peek into the city that had become my home and one that I loved to bits. Infact, if anyone were to say anything negative or degrading, I would pounce on em with logic & facts.
I began calling Chennai home back in 1990 when we moved from Tirunelveli. Infact, it wasn’t really a move I looked forward to or found easy, took me a year or so to settle in and get used to the “city”. I say city cos I came from a small town, and everything about the city was intimidating and overwhelming. There I was a teenager, who had just had a baby sister, moved to a different town, new school, no friends, no support trying to find her way around and her roots. But then, as I got to college things began changing, and I slowly began to discover myself, and begin to enjoy the city for what she offered and all that she threw at me. Today, I am a walking talking directory about Chennai [ well there are things I continue to learn, but I do know the city and am proud of it]
People who know me know am very fond of the city, the city I began to call home and grew quite possessive about. If someone had an opinion, I was ok with it but if they blindly made judgments or comments, they were in for a fun discussion that had logic and facts to boot.
Ever since I began travelling, my love for history grew and I began attending talks and walks that helped me learn much more about this city. I also began looking out for artists who created works based on the city, photographs, and even jewellery. I have a pendant that has a small Chennai map on it that I love.
I got into food blogging nearly a decade ago, and since then the food scene in the city has fascinated me – not just fine dining, but the street vendors and cloud kitchens. Family & Friends began relying on me to give them options whenever they needed some. Some were jealous of the fact that Hotels sent across food and drinks home for reviews. Gramma loved it every time I got a hamper and would talk about it endlessly for days.
The city gave me the space I needed, there were a few cafes [esp Anokhi cafe] where I found comfort, plenty of businesses that gave me work and kept me sane & alive. Culture and people also added to my love for the city with events & opportunities to be a part of some of them. The Sathyam theater will tell tales of my never-ending visits, most of which were alone, digging into a tub of popcorn, and enjoying the movie. A few restaurants stood out with their brilliant fare [ Benjarong & Pumpkin Tales to name a few] had me going back for more. And then there is the beautiful Marina Beach & Eliiots beach that heard my rants on a silent morning or a crazy evening.
I know that the city is growing and evolving, just as I am and the next time I visit, there will have something new to show me. The city is filled with memories, joy, happiness, sadness, anger, and everything in between for me, but I also know that I will always have a connection there.
What is your connection to Chennai/Madras?
