My first glimpse of Chennai was as a 4 day old, mint new Bride. We drove into the city after a trip to Tirupati, and my first thought when I saw the Chennai skyline was, ‘where are the high rises?’
For someone born and brought up in Mumbai I was so used to the concrete jungle of high rises that the lack of them seemed obvious.
As we drove further into the city I soaked in the sights. Fresh flowers neatly arranged to be sold outside temples. Temples that not only had figurines densely packed on their facade, but were painted in my favourite hues, vibrant ones. I saw people dressed traditionally, women wearing neatly pleated sarees and fresh flowers in their hair and men in crisp, white Veshti and Shirt.
Chennai is my city-in-law, I told myself, and wondered how our relationship would turn out to be. Share on XChennai and I have known each other for over 8 years now, and we are still aquaintances. I wondered why, till I realised that neither of us have made an effort to make the first friendly move.
I see Mumbai as this absent minded professor, who puts his arm around your shoulder and welcomes you warmly, before he forgets all about you. He magically resurfaces whenever you need him though!
Chennai, on the other hand, is like the Matriarch of a house. Observing, judging and gauging you. You need to prove yourself, before she decides whether you will be accepted into the fold , or not.
So when I was wracking my brain to come up with a suitable topic for the A to Z Challenge this year, The Husband suggested that I write about Chennai. I surprised myself my agreeing to it immediately. I thought I would see the city through new eyes, and doing so would be the beginning of a new relationship.
This April through the AtoZChallenge, see Chennai through the eyes of an outsider, me. What caught my fancy, what I love and maybe what I don’t, in alphabetical order, no less. For you may know your city like the back of your hand, but an outsider may always see something you missed.
I am going to try my best to present Singara (beautiful) Chennai as I see it, with inputs and a little help from The Husband and lots of friends. Any mistakes I may make, will be my own though.
Maybe at the end of this Challenge, Chennai and I may turn out to become good friends?
Vanakkam!
My A to Z of Chennai: The City Viewed Through An Outsiders Eye
The picture above is a glimpse of the scenic Napier Bridge, built over the Coovum River.
Even though I have stayed only 3 months in the city , I felt I would like to live there longer. This would be a good read for me. All the best !
Thank you, Prats!
OMG!! I can’t wait to read your posts. I was in Chennai for a couple of years and I have a love-hate relationship with the city. It’d be interesting to read your PoV. Happy A to Z, M!
Good to know someone shares my view, Shalini!:))) Thank you and wish you the same!
Good luck! have never lived or visited Chennai,hope to get a cool introduction by you
I’ll do my best:) Thank you.
Wooohooo..look forward to your posts..
Thank you!:)
My bestie is a Tamilian from Chennai. I have found the city quite similar to Kolkata in terms of weather. So looking forward to your posts.
That’s a very interesting theme. I have been to Chennai twice and found it very different from Bangalore. Loved the broad roads and lesser traffic in comparison to other metropolitan cities. Waiting to know more about the city through your eyes. All the best Mayuri.
Thanks you, Deepa!
Thanks you, Deepa!
I have never lived in Chennai and have only transited through the city. I really like your theme and would love to know Chennai better beyond the stereotypes. Good luck, Mayuri.
Thanks, Rachna!
Married to a Tamilian, Chennai is a city of fascination to me. I have been to Chennai around 6 times in my life and everytime I felt richer and more connected to my roots. And this I say after confessing that I can’t speak Tamil. Still never faced any difficulties even though everyone says that with understanding the language, you can’t survive in Chennai. I fell in love with it the day I got married. All the very best.
That is lovely, Rubina. Thanks for reading.
Wow looking forward to read your views on Chennai
Thanks, Suhasini.
I have been to Chennai many times, but it has been always for work. So, have just seen Chennai during the cab rides from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport. I am looking forward to explore Chennai through your eyes and words, Mayuri! 🙂
Thanks, Shilpa.
I agree, an outsider’s perspective can sometimes be more interesting than a lifelong residents! Excited about discovering Chennai through your eyes 🙂
Thank you, Noor 🙂
Chennai is such a beautiful city! People there make you feel like its your home 🙂
That is good to hear 🙂 Thanks for reading.
Vanakam and Nalvaravu to Chennai:) As a born and bought up from Chennai, eagerly looking towards your view!
You know? We are people who had made even James bond wear Veshti… 🙂
What a beautiful thought about Chennai being the matriach of the household. Looking forward to reading your posts Mayuri. I am sure it will be a good mix of humor and emotions.
I’ve been to Chennai once and can say that although both are beach cities Mumbai and Chennai are extremely different. Would be fun to watch it through your eyes. Looking forward to it!
I have never been to Chennai but once while transiting to Pondicherry for a vacation. I would love to see the city through your blogs.
this is such a lovely idea… looking forward to it
I am excited to read about your affair so far with the city.
My husband started with career from this city, though it was not very pleasing stay for him due to extreme cultural and regional differences.
As someone completely alien to the city this is going to be fun. Loved your metaphors Mumbai the professor and Chennai the Matriarch – so apt.
Also ‘surprised myself by agreeing’ :-D. Don’t make it a habit, okay – things get boring if a husband and wide start agreeing on things.
Wow such a beautiful theme. I had never been to cheenai and would love to know more about the city with your awesome posts. wishing you all the best. and need same from you. feeling so nervous. hoping to complete it.
Lovely topic. I’m a Chennai guy and I look forward to read about the city of my birth through an outsider’s eye. Should be interesting indeed.
Vaazhthukkal.
I liked the way you have described Mumbai and Chennai..Perfect!
It sure will be a treat learning about a city I haven’t visited ever! Looking forward to ‘meeting’ your Singara Chennai. 🙂
I have visited Chennai once for my Visa purpose. Would love to read more about it from your viewpoint. ☺️❤️
It sounds fascinating. I am totally unfamiliar with this city, so it will be a discovery for me too.
Looking forward to yourposts.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – Theme Reveal – Berliner Cabaret
From the City in law to friend in 26 steps! Thats going to be amazing discovery of city and building a relationship! Look forward to this “Chnnai Blossom” Mayuri. All the best.
You came up with quite an interesting theme, Mayuri. I have visited a few places in Tamilnadu but never been to Chennai. Looking forward to your posts
Looking forward to know about the city I know nothing about:)
Would be interesting!
When I visited Chennai I had similar thoughts. I have had some funny experiences and some memorable ones. Will look forward to reading your thoughts and experiences with this city-in-law 🙂
Lives in Chennai for 3 months. You chosen a great topic to write about. Chennai has lit to offer. I may relate to some of the posts. Looking forward to your posts. Best of luck 🙂
Looking forward to reading your posts about Chennai