In 1956, crowds gathered on Mount Road in Madras, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Indian Olympic Hockey group that was taken on a grand open-car procession via this arterial stretch. A number of years later, in February 1959, star-struck college students at the Presidency College listened to Martin Luther King Jr ship a speech throughout his go to to India.
These moments, frozen in time by The Hindu’s photographers via hanging black-and-white images during the last century, point out that town has at all times had a cause to assemble and have a good time. As Chennai gears as much as flip 386 this yr on August 22, The Hindu’s archival picture exhibit Thiral Thiran Thaakkam (People — in movement, in emotion, in unison) at the newspaper’s headquarters at Kasturi Buildings on Anna Salai, will discover what makes town come alive.
World desk tennis champion Victor Barna, who’s on an task to India below the Rajkumari Coaching Scheme, seen with trainees, in Madras on November 26, 1957.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
“When I looked into the archives, I realised that there are many different moments through the years that have brought people together to celebrate. This is not limited to dances or loud celebrations, but a host of smaller reasons as well — from receiving important dignitaries to book fairs or even different sporting events,” says Thirupurasundari Sevvel, architect and founder of Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai, who has curated this exhibition. There are 75 pictures on show, and over 110 pictures from the archives showcased digitally too.
Explaining the genesis of Thiral Thiran Thaakkam, she says that the exhibition affords a glimpse into town’s many collective, celebratory moments. “Thiral here means crowd, and thiran is a celebration of strength. Thaakkam, is the impact that all of this has had and how it has seeped into the very identity of the city and its history,” she says.
The pictures embody a bevy of friends town has welcomed, from Martin Luther King Jr to Queen Elizabeth II; small and large sporting occasions and different milestones; the launch of new schemes and insurance policies for the general public; and town’s many vibrant areas which have housed all this.
While Madras, very similar to the nation, has revered cricket, the archival exhibition affords attention-grabbing perception into town’s tryst with different sports activities too. There is a hanging picture of famed Hungarian-British desk tennis champion Victor Barna on an task to India, with trainees below the Rajkumari teaching scheme began to assist budding sportspersons.
GRAND RECEPTION FOR OLYMPIC XI: A heroes welcome was accorded to the members of the victorious Indian Olympic hockey group on their option to the Stadium and inside the place they performed an exhibition sport in opposition to a South Zone XI in Madras on December 22, 1956. For the primary time within the historical past of sport in Madras the Olympians have been taken in procession in open automobiles alongside Mound Road, ranging from the Arts College.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
There are additionally town’s areas which have nurtured its folks, crowds, and celebratory milestones. A far cry from its present hustle and bustle, huge open areas in Anna Nagar housed the International Trade Fair in Madras in 1968, full with a synthetic lake and an escalator bridge.This is when the famed Tower Park was constructed. “Holding up cameras and phones now to record events has become so common now but this was not the case in the past,” Tiruppurasundari says.
Thiral Thiran Thaakkam is on show till September 8 at Kasturi Buildings, The Hindu, 859/860, Anna Salai, Chennai. Entry is free.
The Hindu Made of Chennai is offered by Casagrand and powered by SRM. In affiliation with Union Bank of India. Associate Partners: Tata Tea Chakra Gold, Tata Coffee, Hell Energy. Tourism sponsor: UP Tourism. Hydration associate: Parry Foods. The occasion can be achieved in partnership with Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, Greater Chennai Corporation, Greater Chennai Police, Greater Chennai Traffic Police and Namma Marina, Namma Pride. Radio Partners: Big FM, Fever FM and Radio On. Activewear associate: Technosport. Walk companions: Port Trust of India and Kamarajar Port Limited. Happiness Partner: On The Streets Of Chennai.
Silverscreen by the ocean
For residents of Chennai, the seashores are little doubt our largest flex. What might then be higher than catching some silver display favourites by the waves, full with sundal and bajjis? As an element of Moonlight Cinema, the 2008 comedy-thriller Saroja that includes an ensemble solid together with Shiva, SP Charan, Premgi Amaren, and Prakashraaj, and the 2018 gritty thriller Kolamaavu Kokila starring Nayanthara, can be screened at the Marina Beach. Grab a buddy or two, and discover a comfy spot on the sands for these back-to-back movies.
Moonlight Cinema will happen at the Marina Beach on August 16. Register without spending a dime at madeofchennai.thehindu.com.
Rhythm and delicacies
Paul Jacob’s Folk Agenda group performs at The Hindu Made of Chennai food and music competition in 2024
| Photo Credit:
B Velankanni Raj
The metropolis’s vibrant food scene is ever evolving; one which celebrates the previous favourites and makes house for the brand new, more experimental additions. At the food and music competition, there can be diversified delicacies from over 40 eating places from throughout Chennai, in accompaniment to a musical lineup of some of town’s most promising artistes who will take the stage.
The Food and Music competition will happen on September 13 and 14 at YMCA Nandanam.
Lace up!
At the Made of Chennai run in 2024
| Photo Credit:
B Jothi Ramalingam
Are you able to put your finest foot ahead? Registrations are actually open for The Hindu Made of Chennai run, which can be co-hosted by Chennai Runners. This yr, there can be a 5 and 10 kilometre run, routes for which can be introduced shortly. Runners can register for ₹499 and this features a bib, t-shirt and a medal on ending the run.
The Hindu Made of Chennai run can be held on September 7. To register for the run, scan the QR code and examine @thehindu_madeofchennai on Instagram for updates.
A stroll via historical past
The Port Trust container terminal
| Photo Credit:
B Jothi Ramalingam
A celebration of a metropolis like Madras is a celebration of its hallowed legacy and modernity. Through a collection of walks, discover varied aspects of town, starting from its spectacular structure to its vibrant food scene. On August 16, food blogger Shabnam Kamil will discover Burma Nagar via signature Burmese-Tamil avenue food from the Tamil households who migrated from Burma many years in the past. Chennai’s port would be the setting for a stroll led by Thirupurasundari Sevvel on August 17, the place individuals can discover the structure of the Port Trust buildings, in addition to get a glimpse into the present key operational areas of the port. Through the subsequent few weeks, walks via the Police Museum, and these masking Chennai’s artwork deco buildings may also happen.
