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Chennai
Hyderabad
The Big Night
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The lights are on and the mood is upbeat as Chennai gears up for 2004. T. KRITHIKA REDDY reports
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Monday, 9.00 p.m. It's raining smiles at the car park in Ispahani Center, Nungambakkam. As the clock ticks away to yet another new year, a bunch of teenagers is busy discussing plans for the Big Night. "Sparks," screams one. "Come on da, nothing like the beach on New Year's eve," says another. "How about a private party?" chips in a nattily dressed girl in skyscraper heels. Chaos rules. But one thing is certain. They're going to have a blast.
It all started a few years ago. When good old Madras metamorphosed into Chennai. And Chennai morphed from a staid city to a somewhat sparkling one. Watching `trash' beamed on television on New Year's eve is passé. Today's youth wish to devour life with passion. And the city, with its burgeoning hospitality industry, proliferating pubs, happening cineplexes and beautiful beaches has plenty to offer for revelers. From non-alcoholic parties at Kishkinta to theme-based bashes at hotels ("Colours" at Residency, "Between da sky and the earth" at Sindoori or 004 Licensed to Thrill at Taj Coromandel) and a host of Indipop stars and celebrity DJs performing at parties, it's variety galore.
The mood was set a week ago, when major hotels, lifestyle chains, retail outlets and petrol pumps dressed their exteriors with creative illumination. Be it Savera, the Residencys or the Hutch office on TTK Road, the view is spectacular. Perfect to ignite that spirit to celebrate.
Neetu Agarwal, a second year student of Economics, has her plans chalked out. "It's great fun on New Year's eve. It's one day when we - despite our regional diversity - get to celebrate the same occasion. I am off to a party at a friend's place," she says, flaunting her gorgeous gown and bolder-than-chandelier earrings that she's bought specially for the bash. "I've even readied my camera," she gushes, as if waiting for that socially resonant photo moment. But the private party will move seamlessly into the bigger celebration on the roads at midnight. "We can't afford to miss that spirit of bonhomie as the New Year dawns," she adds.
Mani Subramanium, software professional, on the other hand is making a frenzied dash for theatre tickets. "This is the fourth year that I'll be watching a film on New Year's eve with my family," he beams. "Eating out and dancing at EC 41 make for a splurge-worthy day" to his friend Vinod Nair, a businessman.
With the blitz of ads screaming "attractive offers" and fabulous freebies, New Year's eve means shopping to many. "I wait for the year-end sales to happen," admits Vani Ananth, a housewife in T. Nagar. "There are many who are skeptical of these sales, but I've not had a bad experience yet. It's not just me. The whole family is happy. It's this guilt-free shopping that add value to our celebrations."
Beyond the revelry, there are reflections too. And resolutions to keep. "Oh! How fast the year sped by. What have I done?" is 22-year-old Vinay's common year-end refrain. His sister Vineetha, who's doing her doctorate says, "Last year's resolution didn't make it past the fourth of January. Hope I keep my resolution this year at least. And what precisely is her resolve? "Please. It's not something lofty, I know my limitations. I hope to shed those irksome kgs that I had gained since Deepavali. That's all!"
A host of events in the recent past suggest the city is changing. A Satya Paul show at Dublin, Deepika Mehta demystifying yoga at Pasha, Manish Malhotra in a chat show at Savera, feel-good guru Shri Shri Ravishanker at Anna University, Pascal Heini at Amethyst, DJ Pearl at Aqua or Gary Lawyer at Geoffrey's. Yes... on the surface, it looks like the city's sprinting along the fast track to fun, shaking off its stereotypes. But beneath that frenetic pace lies a lot of tradition and soul. Just look at the number of temples gearing up for special darshans on New Year's eve!
Didn't we hear someone call Chennai the city of contrasts?
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