Author Archive: Admin Madras Day

Madras A-maze – August 26, 2017

Walk-in any time of the day to learn a bit about Madras and Chennai. Let your eyes do the mapping, as you follow a visual trail and match Old Madras and Today’s Chennai sights. You can also test your knowledge in a quick game of placing iconic landmarks in their correct localities in a large Chennai map. Do you know your city well enough?

Event hosted by Quest, 4/375, Chari Avenue, Palavakkam, Chennai 600041

10am – 4pm | Suitable for all ages | Free

 

Madras through Ramesh Raja’s lens – August 20, 2017

This is for those who love photography and love learning more! Ramesh Raja is an ace street photographer and has taken some stunning pictures of Namma Madras street life. Check out some of his work here: https://500px.com/rameshsa He would take us on a virtual tour via his photos and share techniques, tips and his experiences capturing fleeting moments around the city.

From 5​ – ​7​pm | Suitable for ages 12+

Block a seat here: http://bit.ly/Quest_RameshRaja

Event hosted by Quest, 4/375, Chari Avenue, Palavakkam, Chennai 600041

Contact: +917358570749

Thenga-Maanga-Pataani-Sundal Challenge – August 20, 2017

A challenge to make the best dish that reminds Chennai.

From 10 a.m. – 12 noon | Open for all age groups
Sign up as teams of 2 (ensure at least one of the participants is a minor). You will be provided with a table, you can set up a stall of any food that reminds you of Namma Madras Beach. The best dish wins an exciting prize! Register here: http://bit.ly/Quest_TMPSContest

Event hosted by Quest, 4/375, Chari Avenue, Palavakkam, Chennai 600041

Contact: +917358570749

Military Heritage Exhibition – August 11 to 24, 2017

Colours of Glory and The C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar Foundation host a Military Heritage Exhibition as part of Madras Week Celebration.

This is a rare opportunity for people of all ages to have a peep into the rich military heritage of our country, know about the wars our armed forces fought and see the weaponry they use, as well as attend talks, seminars and film shows on our military history.

Venue: The C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar Foundation, 1, Eldams Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 18

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Exhibition will remain closed on August 15, 2017)

RSVP: Dr. G. Balaji – 9444154939, 044-24341778

Walk: The women who made Madras – August 20 & 26, 2017

Prajnya (http://www.prajnya.in) conducts The women who made Madras, a Walking Tour on August 20 & 26, 2017.

Did Francis Day choose Madras as a Presidency capital because of his Tamilian paramour?
Who was the first woman to be admitted into a men’s college?
What led Annie Besant to make her home in Madras?
Join Prajnya, as we lead you through a discovery of the women who played an important role in the establishment of Madras as one of the most important urban centres in India. While we know all about the establishment of Madras as a cornerstone of the British Raj in 1636, what do we know about the women who made it possible for the city of grow and develop over the ensuing decades? Leave this alternative look at the history of Madras with burning questions about the women who built Madras and why we hear so little about them!

The walk will be led by Archana Venkatesh, a doctoral candidate in history at Ohio State University and Saakshi Fellow at Prajnya. Archana has worked with Prajnya’s oral and visual history projects since 2011.

Walk 1: Sunday, August 20, 2017: The South-East Quadrant
Walk 2: Saturday, August 26, 2017: The North-West Quadrant

Starting time: 7 a.m.
Starting point: Shared upon registration

Advance registration is required. To register, please email psw.prajnya@gmail.com by August 18 for the first walk and by August 24 for the second.

Performance: Military Tattoo – August 20, 2017

Colours of Glory Foundation, an initiative to promote public awareness of India’s Military Heritage, is organising an event ‘Military Tattoo’ on August 20, 2017.

The event will showcase the exciting soldierly skills, pageantry: Equestrian show, motorcycle stunts, military band performance.

Venue: Playground, MCC Higher Secondary School, Chetpet.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free entry

Contact: 9444071788. Website: www.coloursofglory.org

Heritage Tour: St. Thomas Trail – August 20, 2017

A visit to places associated with Saint Thomas. Tour led by Fabiola Jacob. By van.

The St. Thomas Trail will feature the following places associated with St. Thomas:
– International Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica – The tomb of the saint and the museum
– Our Lady of Visitation (Descanco) Church, R. A. Puram – St. Thomas used to rest here on his way to Little Mount
– Little Mount – St. Thomas’ cave – prayer space – and space where he preached.
– St. Thomas Mount – where the apostle was martyred in 72 AD. The church here was built by the Portuguese in 1547 AD, and it contains many interesting relics.

Date: Sunday, 20 August
Time: 2.45pm – 6.00pm
Starting Point: St. Thomas Basilica, San Thome ( meet at entrance to tomb complex at rear of Cathedral)

Fee: Rs.150 ( van fee) – to be paid at the start point of the tour.
To register email your interest to – themadrasday@gmail.com using ‘ ST. THOMAS’ in the subject line. ( no cancellations please).
Open to first 13 ( more may be accommodated if transport is possible at our end).

Talk: Expanding Chennai: the infrastructure and other demands and requirements – August 19, 2017

K.S. Sripathi, former Chief Secretary speaks on Expanding Chennai: including the whole of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts in Metropolitan area, the infrastructure and other demands and requirements.

Organised by Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter.
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Venue:  ORF Conference Hall, Reliance Building, Radha Krishnan Salai
By invitation only. Contact: orfchennai2@orfonline.org

Exhibition: The Collections of Phyllis Smith Ansari – August 19 to 31, 2017

Oils on canvas of flowers that won prizes at the Flower Show at Ooty, by Phyllis Smith Ansari; an oil painting on wood by Sara D’ Celas and several studies of Madras make up the paintings in this collection. As also prints from an old colour engraving by Thomas Daniell and James Hunter. Phyllis Smith Ansari has left behind the feel of the period she lived in. For the old Madras crowd, memories of a bygone era. Phyllis Smith was the sister of Dr.Miss. M.P.Smith who lived on Mount Road near Fenn & Co. who was a practising Gynaecologist and a contemporary of my father Dr. M.P. Ganesh Rao. I have been to her house and had tea and biscuits along with my father and because they shared the same initials, thought they were related for a long time.
Phyllis Smith fell in love and married Ansari and found that she could not live in the strict, joint family that she had inherited from her husband. She came back to her sister and her son was brought up here. She has done a landscape, a view of the Cooum river with Hotel Connemara seen in the background as well as a beautiful seascape.

At Studi Palazzo an Art Gallery, Flat 6, Anderson Apartments, 6-9/2, Anderson Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006
From 11.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contact Phone:  044 28272144/9840017307

Madras under Golconda (Sultanate)- August 16, 2017

Lecture by S. Anwar, writer, photographer and film-maker.

“That a Telugu Merchant (Koneri Chetty) should command the (Vijayanagar) Rajah’s forces is singular enough, but that the (Golconda) Nawab should employ a General of that race (Hindu) when ample selection from Moslem warriors was open to him is even more surprising” goes the East India Company’s record of a battle that ended without a fight at Poonamalee, on the outskirts of Madras in 1656.
The English with their monotheistic background were not just bewildered by the Indian social set up but were simply unable to comprehend the plurality and diversity of the land. Madras under Golconda Sultanate presents an interesting picture when the English were mere traders and were being played upon by the natives and were at their wits end when it came to administering the town divided on the lines of caste. Compounding their woes, the Company with its Protestant Christian background had the unenviable task of warding off the seductive Catholic advances. The lecture will look at these interesting times of Madras history.

Organised by Roja Muthiah Research Library.

From 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Venue: Roja Muthiah Research Library, 3rd Cross Road, Central Polytechnic Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600113

Open to all.

Drawing session – August 23, 2017

World Storytelling Institute is holding “A Drawing Session” for people of all ages.
For relaxation, creativity, and imagination.

Participants would be invited to draw their impressions of Madras/Chennai — characters, buildings, events, etc.

Wednesday 23 August 2017.
Please come by anytime from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.

Come and draw, chat, read, and have a cup of coffee.

Hosted by Dr. Eric Miller, Director, World Storytelling Institute.

Address:
World Storytelling Institute
No. 14, Second Ave, Harrington Road, Chetpet.

Directions:
On Harrington Road, at French Loaf turn onto Second Ave.
No 14 is near the end of Second Ave on one’s right.

Admission: Rs 100 per person
(includes drawing materials and tea/coffee).

Contact:
98403 94282
info@storytellinginstitute.org
http://storytellinginstitute.org

Mylapore Heritage Walk – August 13, 2017

INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art And Cultural Heritage) is organising a Heritage Walk of the Kapalishwara Temple, Mylapore and the Vishnu Temples in Chitrakulam, Mylapore, led by Dr.Chithra Madhavan, historian.

The history of Mylapore, temple architecture, sculptures and other details will be highlighted from the streets around the temples, and NOT inside the temples.

Date: Sunday, 13th August, 2017
Time: 6.30 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Meeting POint: Outside Giri Trading Shop, near East Gopuram of the Kapalishvara Temple

The walk is free. No prior registration necessary

For kids: Photowalk – A peninsula next to an island – August 26, 2017

Yocee (http://yocee.in) conducts a 9th annual Madras Day photowalk for children on Aug. 26, 2017.

Are you game to witness and record the MRTS & Metro together?
Are you game to Check the Fish Market (closing your nose already?), the Zion Church? the Sandalwood Garland Market (Now open the nose)? Adhipureesswarar & Adhi Kesava Perumal in the same compound? the Jain Temple? The Autorickshaw Repair street? and the Gaiety & Casino or what’s left?
And end the walk @ Saravana Bhavan …

Meeting Point: Chintadripet MRTS Station
Starts at 4 p.m. and ends at dusk.
Route map – https://goo.gl/61JfHs

The walk is led by N. Ramaswamy, Chennai Daily Photo & Chennai Photowalk
For children of 10 years and above.
Bring your own camera (Any type). Carry your water bottle. Dress easy.
Free walk. Register with Revathi at 9840544629. Open only to first 25 registrations.

For kids-Storytelling: The story of Madras – August 12, 2017

Storycorner at Bookmine is organising a Storytelling session for children by Sudha Umashanker ahead of Madras Week. Details as below
Theme: The story of Madras
Date Saturday 12th August 2017
Time 11 AM-12.15 PM
Venue Storycorner at Bookmine 1, Tarapore Avenue, Harrington Road, Chetput, Chennai 600031
Age 4- 10 years
Charges Rs 150/per child
Contact Storycorner at Bookmine 9840247624
Come listen to the story of how the city came to be founded , the people who played an important part, what brought them here and how Madras grew over the years.