Locations of Madras Day events on Google map

We receive many calls from passionate Chennaiites - What can we do for the Madras day?
We tell them, just anything you would love to do for your city!

When Arun Ganesh looked at the Madras Day events calendar online, he decided to do his bit for the occasion.
He started locating the venues of all the Madras Day events and planted them on Google map. He mailed the link to us. And now the calendar page has a link to the map giving you the location.

It might have taken at least a day to point all the locations with details of events happening at each of these places for Arun. But he didn't mind doing it as he loves his city as we all do.
Thank you Arun!

Technology is available online, but the idea comes from one's heart.

Madras by Night!

Now why didn't we think about that?

Well, the idea is rolling .  . .

A couple of people have begun working on this tour. Madras by Night.

Well, it isn't about visiting the sleazy, the grimy and the shady joints of the city (but then all this also makes a city).

It is about experiencing Chennai after 8 p.m.

So which are the hot spots on your mind?

The places which come to life only after 8 p.m.

Well, the team has picked up a few destinations in north Madras where, after the godowns, the shops and the stores down their shutters another life bubbles up.

I wouldn't want to skip the Marina. Or Pondy Bazaar. Or Purusawalkam.

But this team needs ideas. Please post them here. Give us details of places of food, bazaar, koothu. .  that can be part of this tour. Double up as guides.

The tour may well be by bus and on foot. You could climb on to the roof of the bus and run your cams. Somebody suggests we ask MTC to sponsor the ride. Why not?

Log in to get the latest on this plan.

The media gets going . . .

We had a press conference this evening.

To share with the media the buzz about Madras Day 2008.

Taj Coromandel was the tea sponsor and host.

The Bhatts who run Prism PR got the event together (Prism PR is yet another collaborator since we started 4 years ago. Thanks Satyan and Parul)

Some media people wanted to know why we didn't have a formal inauguration. A launch. A kick-off. Others wondered how we worked without a committee. . .

Madras Day is all about people of the city hosting their own events. Of any kind. They don't need to check with Muthiah or Sriram or me or anyone! Just do it.

And do let others know so they too can participate.

We are hoping that once the media buzz goes out many other citizens will plan events.

Revathi, my colleague has just posted a compact calendar of events for the Week and will update it the moment the buzz comes in.

So just go ahead and print that out and prepare to soak in. 6 sheets of events!

P. S.: The K and P photo exhibition at the Taj Connemara took off on Saturday evening. I wasn't impressed at all. It seems to be a lopsided, poor selection of photos. Surely not 4 plus pictures of a 'religious beggar'! 

P. S.: I took out a group of students and their parents on a  Mylapore Walking Your on Sunday. That has inspired people to send a group for the Aug.18 walk of the Fort. We can host 3 more school groups (limited to 30). Do get in touch!

Mad Bulls are back!

There are some Chennaiites who have filed Madras Day into their systems.

The Mad Bulls is one.

On the dot, Senthil, who co ordinates some events for this club of Enfield bike riders, calls me.

He doesn't want the MB to be left out.

And lo! a circuit is being planned for the bikers.

Perhaps some odd places on the fringe of North Madras.

If you own an Enfield check out these guys.

Meanwhile I am digging up docus on anything to do with the city.

For the Docu Film Fest. Aug.24, 25.

INTACH is sending us a film it made on the renovation of a temple tank.

Architect Sujatha Sankar parts with one on the architecture of the city.

A film on the San Thome cathedral is on its way.

They may not sound exciting and cutting edge films.

But they will do for a small start.

If you know of anyone who has done docus on Madras, please alert them to his event.

Some day, we hope docus on Chennai will be a 'movement'.

There are dozens on Mumbai/Bombay.

50 events. And counting . . .

Sudhakar confirms a tour of Nanmangalam forest.

So that is the contribution of MNS (Madras Naturalists Society) to the Madras Week events.

30 mins drive from Adyar and a 90 min. tour of the area where you spot the lovely Great Horned Owl (Read a feature on 'Birds of Madras' in the Aug. issue of Outlook Traveller magazine; a birding guide provided).

Eric Miller (World Storytelling Institute) has planned a walk of the statues on the Marina. He promises impromptu readings and performances at some points. Imagine!

The buzz has gone out to all the FM Radio stations and we hope the airwaves will get exclusive too.

Journalist-columnist Swahilya ( columnist in The New Indian Express) has planned a walking tour of North Madras. She has lived in the region and written on it for years and is a nice storyteller too.

50 plus events and counting . . .

You too can plan and organise an event for the city. Let it be simple. Let it make you proud!