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The New Indian Express, India
Aug 22 2014
Chennai Turns 375
CHENNAI: A name that kindles the old world charm, 'Madras,' in its
latest avatar Chennai, turned 375 on Friday as festivities marked the
birthday of this historic coastal city in South India.
In the run up to Madras Day, a long list of programmes devised by a
set of volunteers, including historians, were undertaken since August
17.
The city was believed to have been founded on August 22, 1639. A
British-era name that brought with it a lot of old world charm and
memories associated with it, Madras was rechristened Chennai by the
DMK Government in 1996.
What was once believed to be a sleepy hamlet, Chennai has now
transformed into a bustling metropolis dotted with skyscrapers, malls
and IT offices stretching beyond the city limits, even as the young
and old hobnob with their choice of filter coffee and cappuccinos.
While a group of heritage lovers came together to celebrate August 22
as Madras Day lining up a series of events including heritage walks,
exhibition of old photographs, film screenings and culinary sessions,
TV and radio channels aired programmes related to the city's birthday.
The topics on which the walks, talks and shows are based include the
city's origin, Armenians in Madras, forest conservation, temples and
churches besides cartoons to attract children and many more.
Madras High Court building (File/PTI) TN Secretariat building in
Chennai (File/EPS)
Madras, or Chennai, is not only known for its sumptuous spicy menu,
but also boasts of the sandy Marina, billed as the world's second
longest beach, the multi-million rupee Tamil cinema industry whose
icons include M G Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan and
Rajnikanth.
The city has the rather unenviable record of being bombed by a German
ship, Emden, in 1917 during the first World War, that tested the then
British rulers' resolve though it did not cause much damage to the
city.
Since then, Emden has found a place in the Tamil lexicon, meaning
someone who is determined and bound to create trouble.
It is a different story that the German ship was later neutralised by
the then fledgling Australian Navy, celebrating which its Consulate
General here held a photography exhibition as part of the Madras Day
menu.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Chennai-Turns-375/2014/08/22/article2392845.ece
From: Baghdasarian
Aug 22 2014
Chennai Turns 375
CHENNAI: A name that kindles the old world charm, 'Madras,' in its
latest avatar Chennai, turned 375 on Friday as festivities marked the
birthday of this historic coastal city in South India.
In the run up to Madras Day, a long list of programmes devised by a
set of volunteers, including historians, were undertaken since August
17.
The city was believed to have been founded on August 22, 1639. A
British-era name that brought with it a lot of old world charm and
memories associated with it, Madras was rechristened Chennai by the
DMK Government in 1996.
What was once believed to be a sleepy hamlet, Chennai has now
transformed into a bustling metropolis dotted with skyscrapers, malls
and IT offices stretching beyond the city limits, even as the young
and old hobnob with their choice of filter coffee and cappuccinos.
While a group of heritage lovers came together to celebrate August 22
as Madras Day lining up a series of events including heritage walks,
exhibition of old photographs, film screenings and culinary sessions,
TV and radio channels aired programmes related to the city's birthday.
The topics on which the walks, talks and shows are based include the
city's origin, Armenians in Madras, forest conservation, temples and
churches besides cartoons to attract children and many more.
Madras High Court building (File/PTI) TN Secretariat building in
Chennai (File/EPS)
Madras, or Chennai, is not only known for its sumptuous spicy menu,
but also boasts of the sandy Marina, billed as the world's second
longest beach, the multi-million rupee Tamil cinema industry whose
icons include M G Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan and
Rajnikanth.
The city has the rather unenviable record of being bombed by a German
ship, Emden, in 1917 during the first World War, that tested the then
British rulers' resolve though it did not cause much damage to the
city.
Since then, Emden has found a place in the Tamil lexicon, meaning
someone who is determined and bound to create trouble.
It is a different story that the German ship was later neutralised by
the then fledgling Australian Navy, celebrating which its Consulate
General here held a photography exhibition as part of the Madras Day
menu.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Chennai-Turns-375/2014/08/22/article2392845.ece
From: Baghdasarian