Chennai: Chennaiites celebrated the 379th birthday of the city they call home by reconnecting with their history and appreciating the present. The uniqueness of commemorating such an event is that different people use their own skills to do so.
A group of cyclists, Cycling Yogis, rode along the East Coast Road and marked out important heritage sites along it. With Mahabalipuram being not very far away, the stretch is filled with ancient temples and heritage buildings. “Everybody looks at the heritage buildings within the city. The ones outside of it are forgotten. This ride was to bring awareness to these forgotten buildings of great heritage,” said Ramanujar Moulana of Cycling Yogis.
Meanwhile, foodies in the city walked through Sowcarpet and ate food from small hole-in-the-wall joints. This walk involved eating food that was not-so-Madras but has become part of the city since the British times. This area, usually home to merchants and wholesale stores is also known for its great food.
“These walks are usually attended by food enthusiasts, youngsters but also people who have lived here and shopped here for a long time but completely unaware of the food scene,” says Sridhar Venkataraman who conducts the walks. Another important feature is that people who usually disregard street food or food from such small joints begin to appreciate them after these walks.
“These guys don't have any means of promotion and they really deserve it. That is also a reason to do these,” he says.Children too celebrated it in various ways. Some walked through popular heritage sites in the city, along Valluvar Kottam, Nungambakkam and Independence day park on a photo walk.
