A Weekend of Culture, Stories & Soulful Music
In Chennai
Having lived in so many cities across the world, I’ve realised one thing — you don’t really know a city until you walk through its culture, smell its history, and hear its stories.
So this weekend, Vani and I decided to do exactly that in namma Chennai.
Mylapore Culture Walk
by @MadrasInherited
More Than What Meets the Eye
As a non-Chennaite, I always imagined Mylapore as a typical Tamil Brahmin stronghold. Oh how wrong I was!
What we discovered was a vibrant mix of communities and a neighbourhood with a surprisingly global past. Who would’ve thought Mylapore was once a buzzing trade hub thanks to its proximity to the sea and the now-forgotten Buckingham Canal? Hard to imagine today’s stinky stretch was once a lifeline for wholesale trade!
What we discovered was a vibrant mix of communities and a neighbourhood with a surprisingly global past. Who would’ve thought Mylapore was once a buzzing trade hub thanks to its proximity to the sea and the now-forgotten Buckingham Canal? Hard to imagine today’s stinky stretch was once a lifeline for wholesale trade!
Some highlights that absolutely blew my mind
Dubba Chetty Pharmacy
Still dishing out age-old nattu marundhu (traditional herbal medicine).
Venkys spices
Once a global brand, born right here.
Amrutanjan factory
nostalgia hit hard when I saw the iconic ads that shaped our childhoods!
But it wasn’t all rosy
It was sad to see how many beautiful Art Deco buildings—like the iconic Kamadhenu theatre—have disappeared in the name of development. European cities preserve heritage fiercely; Chennai too needs to strike that balance. Modernity shouldn’t cost us our soul.
Big thanks to @Ashmita for a fantastic, story-rich tour!
Big thanks to @Ashmita for a fantastic, story-rich tour!
Ilaiyaraaja Instrumental Concert
by Candlelight
Candlelight Tribute to Ilaiyaraaja — Pure Magic
What an evening it was!
Ilaiyaraaja’s music has a way of travelling across cities, languages, and generations. Growing up in Nagpur and Delhi, I didn’t know much Tamil cinema, yet his melodies still reached me through cousins and friends. My personal favourite? “Raja Rajathi Raja” from Agni Nakshatram. Timeless!
The concert took place in the gorgeous British-era music hall at the Chennai Art Gallery — a perfect setting to be swept away by Ilaiyaraaja’s magic.
A beautiful blend of flute, bass guitar, keyboard and drums, led by Lalit Talluri, made the evening unforgettable. The entire performance felt like slipping into a warm nostalgia bubble.
Thank you Lalit, the entire band, and Candlelight Concerts, for a memorable night!
Ilaiyaraaja’s music has a way of travelling across cities, languages, and generations. Growing up in Nagpur and Delhi, I didn’t know much Tamil cinema, yet his melodies still reached me through cousins and friends. My personal favourite? “Raja Rajathi Raja” from Agni Nakshatram. Timeless!
The concert took place in the gorgeous British-era music hall at the Chennai Art Gallery — a perfect setting to be swept away by Ilaiyaraaja’s magic.
A beautiful blend of flute, bass guitar, keyboard and drums, led by Lalit Talluri, made the evening unforgettable. The entire performance felt like slipping into a warm nostalgia bubble.
Thank you Lalit, the entire band, and Candlelight Concerts, for a memorable night!
Chennai has still not shed the traditionality compared to other cities. Culturally chennai and kolkata are 2 cities still maintaining their roots.
My temple sojourn is still in the bucket list.
Agree Rajesh. Would love to join on the temple trip. Did that many years back.
Couldn’t agree more !!Walking through a city is the best way to truly feel its soul. Chennai has so many stories waiting to be heard and every lane has a story. Hope you had amazing experience.
Ravi sure. You ansd Kiran too need to do it
Hi Ram,
Loved your write-up. The culture walk and the Ilaiyaraaja concert both came alive through your words. Very nicely captured. Looking forward to your next post.
Thanks Tushar. Time you and Komal too do it