Dear Chennai,
Happy Birthday! You've turned 373, you oldie! It puts things into perspective, you know? All of us turning 20 feel so much younger now!
On your birthday this year, here are things I've always wished you knew - some are the emotions you inspire, others are bits of advice, the rest are just the flighty ramblings of a girl in love... with you.
You see, there will always be people who call you an overgrown village, cribbing about hemlines and sleeve lengths. There will always be complaints about deserted streets when it is 'only' 11 PM and the absence of a 'decent' life. When flipped around, these cribs and rants transform into statements of adulation and amazement of how a metro can maintain such character, of how you are in touch with your roots and of how you have a strong, independent identity. Listen, smile and move on. But wait, you already do.
I often wonder, if you were to look yourself in the mirror what would you see? An old man (perhaps a la Dumbledore?) with flowing silvery hair with deep-set eyes filled with wisdom from the years gone by? A beautiful woman decked in a Kancheepuram sari and lengths of jasmine flowers that stares back? Scores of children playing barefoot on the sun-baked lanes, pretending to be Dhoni or Tendulkar? Posh, sophisticated elite walking into malls or pubs? If you were to look yourself in the mirror, would there even be a singular image or would it be like looking out of a window?
I may not have been here as long as some others. I may not have seen everything there is to see. I may not have experienced everything you have to offer. Yet, I am enchanted.
Writing hurriedly in the sand before violent waves swallow my letters in one sweeping motion. Picking out seashells and carefully rinsing them to store for years to come. Roaming the sands, getting our futures told and sampling the characteristic tastes of the corn, the bhajji, the sundal. Who else can give us Besant Nagar?
Bargaining till our throats are parched. Navigating nooks, crannies and side lanes until we are surrounded by makeshift stalls with no idea where we are. Emerging with our loot barely managing to carry it all but with a big smile, our sanity and a hardly-harmed wallet in place. Who else can give us Pondy Bazaar?
Every brand you can think of. Food that not only gets your mouth watering but also brings the world to your doorstep. The guarantee of meeting someone you know every time you set foot into its doors. The perfect solution for a hot, sultry, empty summer afternoon. Who else can give us Express Avenue?
The best of classical music and dance. The majesty of silk saris and the aroma of jasmine. Hot samosas and filter kaapi. The talk of sabhas and kutcheris; the joy of a whole new language. Who else can give us the December season?
Oh, I could go on and on! After all, history is replete with stories expressing adoration. Who would know better than you?
Over this next week, everyone's eyes will be trained on you. We will cycle through you, take walks through otherwise ignore alleys and try to get in touch with our roots. Through most of the year, it may seem like we do not pay as much attention but every time we see Central Station or CMBT or the beaches or just about anything at all, we know exactly where we are. It is, after all, namma Chennai that grounds us, makes us come running back home.
With much love from,
a Madrasi ;)
Happy Birthday! You've turned 373, you oldie! It puts things into perspective, you know? All of us turning 20 feel so much younger now!
On your birthday this year, here are things I've always wished you knew - some are the emotions you inspire, others are bits of advice, the rest are just the flighty ramblings of a girl in love... with you.
You see, there will always be people who call you an overgrown village, cribbing about hemlines and sleeve lengths. There will always be complaints about deserted streets when it is 'only' 11 PM and the absence of a 'decent' life. When flipped around, these cribs and rants transform into statements of adulation and amazement of how a metro can maintain such character, of how you are in touch with your roots and of how you have a strong, independent identity. Listen, smile and move on. But wait, you already do.
I often wonder, if you were to look yourself in the mirror what would you see? An old man (perhaps a la Dumbledore?) with flowing silvery hair with deep-set eyes filled with wisdom from the years gone by? A beautiful woman decked in a Kancheepuram sari and lengths of jasmine flowers that stares back? Scores of children playing barefoot on the sun-baked lanes, pretending to be Dhoni or Tendulkar? Posh, sophisticated elite walking into malls or pubs? If you were to look yourself in the mirror, would there even be a singular image or would it be like looking out of a window?
I may not have been here as long as some others. I may not have seen everything there is to see. I may not have experienced everything you have to offer. Yet, I am enchanted.
Writing hurriedly in the sand before violent waves swallow my letters in one sweeping motion. Picking out seashells and carefully rinsing them to store for years to come. Roaming the sands, getting our futures told and sampling the characteristic tastes of the corn, the bhajji, the sundal. Who else can give us Besant Nagar?
Bargaining till our throats are parched. Navigating nooks, crannies and side lanes until we are surrounded by makeshift stalls with no idea where we are. Emerging with our loot barely managing to carry it all but with a big smile, our sanity and a hardly-harmed wallet in place. Who else can give us Pondy Bazaar?
Every brand you can think of. Food that not only gets your mouth watering but also brings the world to your doorstep. The guarantee of meeting someone you know every time you set foot into its doors. The perfect solution for a hot, sultry, empty summer afternoon. Who else can give us Express Avenue?
The best of classical music and dance. The majesty of silk saris and the aroma of jasmine. Hot samosas and filter kaapi. The talk of sabhas and kutcheris; the joy of a whole new language. Who else can give us the December season?
Oh, I could go on and on! After all, history is replete with stories expressing adoration. Who would know better than you?
Over this next week, everyone's eyes will be trained on you. We will cycle through you, take walks through otherwise ignore alleys and try to get in touch with our roots. Through most of the year, it may seem like we do not pay as much attention but every time we see Central Station or CMBT or the beaches or just about anything at all, we know exactly where we are. It is, after all, namma Chennai that grounds us, makes us come running back home.
With much love from,
a Madrasi ;)
Nice, feel-good piece about namma Chennai. Wish there is more positivity about our hometown after such posts gather momentum.
ReplyDeleteWell written. You capture emotions perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
ReplyDelete