Madras, A way of Life

Madras is – women in 18 yards in the streets of Mylapore; ever crowded Ranganathan Street with its relentless shoppers; the ruffians of Royapettah and the sadhus of the south; the brave foot boarders of EMU trains and MTC buses; the tranquility of the Marina on a full moon night.

Madras is – divine harmony of “Arupathi Moovar” and chorus of the devotees; the chanting of Vedas in the dawn of Karthikai; the ragas of Markazhi and rhythm of “Salangai” (ankle bells); squeaking horns and the buzzing traffic; whistle for the “Super star” and the never ending scream for the rest of the movie; the sound of waves and the silence of the night.

Madras is – aroma of grounded filter coffee at the turn of every street;  ; the fragrance of jasmine on the hair of women; the tang of bajjis and the hot dosas in the “Kaiyendi Bhavans”; the odor of sweat after satisfied shopping in Pothys during “Aadi Thalupadi”; the smell of hard work at the sunset.

It is the epitome of tradition and the personification of the west. It is the reflection of the past and the hope of the future.

Madras is a way of life!