The Hindu : Front Page : Madraspatinam comes alive in Chennai

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Madraspatinam comes alive in Chennai

Ramya Kannan

Photos from The Hindu archives tell a tale of a city that has grown into an unrecognisable avatar

On Madras in Chennai:photo archive exhibition in Chennai beckoned the young and the old alike, rewinding to another time.

CHENNAI: The sun streamed into the atrium of the shopping complex, lighting it up for its daily business. The shops rolled down their shutters and rolled up their discount banners. Shoppers were streaming in too. Amidst this bustle, steadfastly, in one corner, time stood still in black and white. In Chennai, Madraspatinam had come alive. Everything that has been, and will be, essentially Madras — the Marina, Couum, carnatic music, politics, cricket, tennis, pavement book stores, The Hindu – was lazily rising out of a bygone era and filling up sunlit space in the present.

These images from the past came from an exhibition of The Hindu's well-preserved photo archives, and are on display to commemorate the birthday of a city that was born Madras, and grew to call itself Chennai.

From the 1920s images capturing moments that now are historically significant, including Mahatma Gandhi's visit, E.V.R. Periyar in conversation with C. Rajagopalachari, the swearing in of a young Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi; conferment of honorary Doctor of Laws on Mother Teresa; and Queen Elizabeth II's visit are on display.

Then, there are the others, not so much a part of popular history as a strong reminiscence of another pace of life: a policeman rounding up a cyclist riding without a light, small huts at the then Tambaram Sanatorium, salt piled in neat heaps at the salt pans and boats navigating the Cooum.

The pictures tell the tale of a city that has grown, like many others, over the years into an unrecognisable avatar. “I can recognise some of these places, but they're all so different,” says Siddhanth, a 10 {+t} {+h} standard student, who spent a fair bit of time peering into the 100-odd pictures on display.

Two younger kids looking around casually, suddenly jabbed one of the soft mount boards enthusiastically – “I know this, Central Station!” cried the smaller one.

An idea that was mooted by historian S. Muthiah, and actualised by The Hindu in a short span with The Hindu NDTV, Chennai Live FM, and Chennai Citi Centre, the ‘Madraspatinam' exhibition also seemed to be a huge hit with shoppers and strollers. Even as fabulous discounts at the stores all around beckoned, visitors took time to study the pictures and their captions.

L.C. Stalin, a restaurant manager on the second floor of the mall, was spending his lunch hour with the city's past. “See this one, it mentions Burmah Shell. My grandmother used to speak of Burmah Shell in those days. I'm glad I came down, it truly is worth my time,” the resident of Chennai says.

For young students who stopped by, an image of youth atop a bus celebrating bus day, was an instant attraction. “Nothing seems to have changed,” a young chap tells his mates, all of whom are amused. ‘Madraspatinam' presents an organic city, which grew with its people. The story of Madras is the story of its people. And it is in Citi Centre for everyone to see till Sunday.

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