Of soul, sea, soup boys...Happy B’day Madras

As the metropolis turns 380 years young today, Chennaiites share their stories of what drew them to the city. For those born here, Madras is where the heart is, while those who migrated say the city has grown on them like a second skin.

The memories from attending the pro-Jallikattu protests of 2017 at Marina Beach will always be with me for life. It was the first time I witnessed thousands of young people coming together for a social cause. It made me feel immensely proud of being a Chennaiite, looking at the way the city’s residents came together for preserving Tamil culture. The strength of Chennai is more evident when its people stand together for a social cause. Even though I was born in the city, I always discover something I didn’t know about the city before each time I interact with the people.

The city is like a hardworking, young woman in her 20s, who is not afraid of challenges in her career. She has a young and brave heart, facing all her struggles with courage.

The city is as accessible to everyone as a plate of vada and sambar is — ever ready to welcome everyone, irrespective of their backgrounds, with warmth.

The vibrant culture and food.

It was during 1985-89 when our family first moved to Madras from Kerala as we had relatives in the city then. I remember an incident when I went out to a city mall with my two kids, one a toddler and another was two. Later, I realised that my purse was missing, I notified the mall authorities to call my landline if they found it anywhere. To my surprise, I got a call the same evening asking to pick up my purse. The honesty and homeliness of Madras residents made me fall in love with the city so much that we made it our home since 1999, when we were looking for a city where our kids could grow up.

It is like a warm mother, who is always selfless, loving and caring – just like the people.

It reminds me of an aromatic pongal – with quite a lot of ingredients – giving it a nice texture. Chennai is a big melting pot of different cultures.

I would call the beaches as lifelines of the city.

Every year, during December I see the city come alive like never before — the temperatures are less extreme and there is all kinds of music in the air. During the season of Margazhi, I love how the city allows one to witness a Carnatic concert in Mylapore and straight away head to a rock concert in another neighbourhood. That is when I realise how awe-inspiring the cultural diversity in Chennai is, which makes me fall in love with the city all over again, despite having lived here all my life. The thriving music, theatre and film industries that mirror the city’s culture are a big source of inspiration for me.

Chennai is like a newly-wed woman with an immense respect for culture and, at the same time, full of surprises as one gets to know her.

It is like a hot gulab jamun that tempts you to taste it and makes you want more once you have a taste of it — just the way when a person gets to know the city, he or she will always remain in love with it.

Its genuine people, their warmth and helpful nature. For instance, when we’re at a cricket match, Chennaiites applaud a good innings played even by the opponents.

As someone who had been living in different cities of the country, I was a bit apprehensive when I had to move down from Bengaluru to Chennai for work about four years ago. The extreme hot weather made it even harder to live in the city, when I initially moved here. But, as time went by, I started to take time out to explore the city. Soon, bike rides along the East Coast Road to spend time at the beach became a part of my life. I began to accept the city for all its positives and negatives and it started to love me back.

This city is like my best friend, who has been there to support me at all times – happy and sad. It welcomed a migrant like myself with its whole heart and became my home.

I would compare Chennai to wine – starts with a bitter taste when tried for the first time, but gets finer over time. The more you live here, you realise there’s no other city like it.

Its humble people.

If you ask any person who works in the services, they will say that Chennai has one of the best working cultures in India. I’ve been residing in the city for the past 36 years and when my daughter addressed Chennai her ‘home’, I too started considering the city as my ‘second home’. I can say that Chennai is the safest city.

A woman, who has got an attitude.

Like how filter coffee has a unique flavour, the city has some exclusive characteristics to it.

The sea breeze. It gives me a sense of calm to visit the beach after a tiring day.

The way Chennai came together during the 2015 floods made me fall in love with the city all over again, despite hailing from here. It was very inspiring to see people, young and old, come to each other’s rescue. The city has also played a pivotal role in supporting me in my stand-up career. The love that the city has showered on me gave me the confidence to pursue a career in stand-up. I know how lucky some of us are to receive a city’s support in what we do, and I’m very fortunate that I did.

This city is like a grumpy old grandmother, with a great sense of humour. It takes a bit of understanding, but comes with great hospitality.

It would be stereotypical, but I would say curd rice. The city is so simple, just like its laid back people. Curd rice can be called fancy words like yogurt in other parts of the world, but in the end, is a comforting meal.

The arts scene in the city. It is so vibrant, with people trying to keep different forms of art alive.

I was born and brought up in Chennai and cannot recall an exact moment when I fell in love with the place. A lot of NRIs studied with me in school and college. Every time they complain about the city’s weather, I found myself defending it citing various reasons for people from different communities to appreciate Chennai.

A chivalrous gentleman, who takes care of every individual.

Like how we make different kinds of sambar, the city has different things to offer to people who visit.

The city has lived to its name of being the medical hub of the country.

When I moved to Chennai from Moscow three years ago, the city was new to me. Slowly, I realised that Chennaiites appreciate different cultures and traditions. I really like the fact that the city is cosmopolitan with a lot of interesting things happening. People say that Chennai has three weather conditions — hot, real hot and scorching hot! But after staying here for so long, I can say that it is better than most cities in India.

Chennai is more like a tall, handsome gentleman, who is calm and considerate.

It would be masala vada. It’s as unique and authentic as Chennai.

Its beaches.