Chennai..no Singara Chennai..I miss you!!
I arrived in Chennai with some skepticism and lots of sympathies from random people most of them had never set foot on Chennai soil but were quick to narrate me the tales of how unfriendly this city is.
I was in Chennai landing right in the midst of summer 2010 and I got the best welcome I could hope for, I was charged Rs 350 by auto guy for a distance that I later realized being in the city was worth not more than 50 rs!!
Well the journey that started then made me fall unwillingly in love with the place.
I think amongst the many things remarkable about Chennai few stand out:
Autos: Ah!! talk of Chennai and you cannot miss the autos, these are the life line of city and love them hate them; the autowallahs ensure you better not ignore them. A rehabilitation vocation for a significant ex-chennai central jail convicts, this profession needs no further testimonials. Proud of your negotiation and bargaining skills…There’s no better place to put them to test and also see them failing!
Rajni Mania: Rajni oops Thalaivar ..is not just a super star he is beyond that, he is a phenomenon. Scores of Rajni jokes hold no meaning till you arrive at the land of Rajni. You ask any random stranger “unaga fav star Rajni aa?” and just see the sparkle in his eyes. I witnessed a phenomenon called release of Endhiran!!
Temples: Colorful and neat temples with beautiful karnatic music playing in backdrop, religious or otherwise you’d love to go there and definitely get some peace of mind.
Filter Coffee: Served traditionally in a steel ‘tumbler’ and a ‘dabara’ bottom, I swear this is the best form of coffee one can have. The downside is I have been unable to enjoy any other coffee since then.
Beach: I loved the occasional walks on the beach, we celebrated the new year on the beach. Danced with random strangers till 3 in morning when India won the world cup.
Political culture: talk of active political culture, you need to be here. People literally wear their affiliations on their sleeves! The humongous cut outs, massive rallies, political graffiti adjourning walls and the cult following is too prominent to be missed. My sheer luck I was here to catch one of the most memorable political moments in TN’s history-Assembly elections 2011.
Professionalism: leave the auto wallah away and you are part of a city which is very professional in its approach. People love to mind their own business and people definitely don’t judge you on your looks or the way you dress. Which doesn’t mean you are not judged at all , what a Rolex watch means to a Delhiwallah an MS or PhD from US means to a Chennaite.
Culture: Though there is rising multiculturalism the city has retained its culture, its not uncommon to see people breaking into Tamil even while in conversation with a US client, women wearing strands of jasmine, beautiful silk sarees, sandalwood and vermillon tilak on forehead…. the list is long.
Movies: Where else does the govt feel- movie going is a right of citizens and multiplex prices need to be regulated!! A cheering and lively junta for company.. At 120 Rs for movie in a chic multiplex nothing is a pain, except when you watch two releases of abhishek bachan in a month
Quick pointers, why I like Chennai….
….because no price on earth is too high for an autowallah and he can even demand 100000 rs with a straight face on one argument …no return passenger availableaa!!
….because hypertrichosis is still considered sexy by both men and women alike…so females with unwaxed arms and men with flowing moustaches is completely cool!!
….because CSK is a superb team
….because “superaa” is highest form of appreciation
….because ama and seri are different words with different meanings
….because a coconut in beach town chennai is costlier than what it is in bangaore or hyderabad
….because you can use a two letter suffix “AA” at end of any word/sentence ….to question, express disbelief, express surprise and displeasure!!
Because you can tell a one liner which puts all other reasons to rest:
…..because Rajni lives in Chennai!!! MIND IT!!
Orange Curry 