Madras - 'Namma Chennai Chance-illa'
Madras (now Chennai) is all set to celebrate its 375th birthday on 22nd August. As the D day is around the corner, there are celebrations and festivities galore, everywhere and for everyone. I have been following the Times of India ‘Namma Chennai Chance-illa’ campaign for some time now and here is a list of some of my chanceilla moments in Madras. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in this ancient city, I have witnessed things and activities unique to Madras.
Madras is a place for all and has something to offer for all, whether you are extremely conservative or ultra-modern.Irrespective of whether you were brought up in the urban hifi part of Madras or did your schooling in a convent, you couldn’t possibly have missed the Tanglish words which are an indispensable part of the Madras vocabulary. Just adding a ‘la’ to your English or a ‘fy’ to your Tamil qualifies you to pass off as an undisputed Madrasi. Words that you will never find in the dictionary like chanceilla, mokkai, kadi etc. creep into your daily lexicon unnoticed, and are certain to stay, atleast as long as you stay in Madras.
Commuting in the MTC bus is yet another noteworthy experience. More so if you have been lucky enough to travel in a bus that plies through the city’s men’s college, because that’s when you get to listen to some foot-tapping gaana songs orchestrated by these young men with remarkable background score played using unconventional instruments like books and bus interiors. You can’t help vouching the Darwin’s theory of evolution when you watch young boys and men climbing the bus windows and swaying in the air with the support of just a foot on the footboard. It is quite obvious that the gesture is meant to attract the attention of the opposite sex rather than to reach their destination on time.
Music and dance is in the Madrasi blood, be it in the form of classical music or folklore such as gaana and dappankuthu. Personally I have enjoyed the dappankuthu more than the classical, thanks to the rhythmic fast-paced beats. One feature that is unique to Madras is the death procession which is characterized by drumming, lungi dance and flowers. It is believed that the dead are rendered a befitting farewell in their last journey. The vigour and passion with which the dappankunthu is performed has been beautifully portrayed by actor Dhanush in most of his hit numbers.
Marina beach and Ranganathan Street are two chance-illa locations that appeal to the old and new Madrasis alike. The long line of vendors that line the Marina beach at dusk and hawkers on Ranganathan street who leave you with little choice for space have an astounding collection of whatever it is you are looking for. Not getting lost in either of these two places is indeed a feat worth mentioning.
The auto drivers, who until recently were the kings among public transport providers are another Madras spectacle. If you want to put your negotiation skills to test, there is no better person to try it on. The sense of contentment that you feel after haggling with an auto driver and finally agreeing upon a rate that is 40-50% of the initial offer is something one has to experience to understand. Sadly, this experience is bound to die with the new set of regulations.
The list goes on and on as I press my mind for other chance-illa things about Madras. One thing I really miss is the word ‘Madras’ itself, I wish the city could retain its old name that certainly defines its glory and legacy.
Long live the Glory of Madras!!
Madras is a place for all and has something to offer for all, whether you are extremely conservative or ultra-modern.Irrespective of whether you were brought up in the urban hifi part of Madras or did your schooling in a convent, you couldn’t possibly have missed the Tanglish words which are an indispensable part of the Madras vocabulary. Just adding a ‘la’ to your English or a ‘fy’ to your Tamil qualifies you to pass off as an undisputed Madrasi. Words that you will never find in the dictionary like chanceilla, mokkai, kadi etc. creep into your daily lexicon unnoticed, and are certain to stay, atleast as long as you stay in Madras.
Commuting in the MTC bus is yet another noteworthy experience. More so if you have been lucky enough to travel in a bus that plies through the city’s men’s college, because that’s when you get to listen to some foot-tapping gaana songs orchestrated by these young men with remarkable background score played using unconventional instruments like books and bus interiors. You can’t help vouching the Darwin’s theory of evolution when you watch young boys and men climbing the bus windows and swaying in the air with the support of just a foot on the footboard. It is quite obvious that the gesture is meant to attract the attention of the opposite sex rather than to reach their destination on time.
Music and dance is in the Madrasi blood, be it in the form of classical music or folklore such as gaana and dappankuthu. Personally I have enjoyed the dappankuthu more than the classical, thanks to the rhythmic fast-paced beats. One feature that is unique to Madras is the death procession which is characterized by drumming, lungi dance and flowers. It is believed that the dead are rendered a befitting farewell in their last journey. The vigour and passion with which the dappankunthu is performed has been beautifully portrayed by actor Dhanush in most of his hit numbers.
Marina beach and Ranganathan Street are two chance-illa locations that appeal to the old and new Madrasis alike. The long line of vendors that line the Marina beach at dusk and hawkers on Ranganathan street who leave you with little choice for space have an astounding collection of whatever it is you are looking for. Not getting lost in either of these two places is indeed a feat worth mentioning.
The auto drivers, who until recently were the kings among public transport providers are another Madras spectacle. If you want to put your negotiation skills to test, there is no better person to try it on. The sense of contentment that you feel after haggling with an auto driver and finally agreeing upon a rate that is 40-50% of the initial offer is something one has to experience to understand. Sadly, this experience is bound to die with the new set of regulations.
The list goes on and on as I press my mind for other chance-illa things about Madras. One thing I really miss is the word ‘Madras’ itself, I wish the city could retain its old name that certainly defines its glory and legacy.
Long live the Glory of Madras!!
Awesome-ly written!
ReplyDeleteThanks Suchi!!
ReplyDeleteOmg! No part untouched or left amazing write up took me along my days in Madras / Chennai....makes me miss home even more!
ReplyDelete