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Vol. XXXIV No. 10, September 1-15, 2024
And what a Madras Day it was!
-- by Sriram V.
The latest edition of Madras Day, was it 17th or 18th we forget, was hectic and demanding for those who were catalysts, but it was immensely satisfying chiefly because of the manner in which it seems to be accepted as a reason to celebrate. We are seeing a certain spontaneity in the putting together of events and also a freedom in celebrating it sans any narrow definitions. This is exactly what was expected of a city celebration, and we are happy that it is catching on. At Madras Musings, Madras Day/Week celebrations ended on August 25th, but we are sure that events are still going on elsewhere. There is even a run planned as late as September 8 by The Hindu!
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s message for Madras Week, posted via @mkstalin on X (formerly Twitter).
There is a separate page in this issuededicated to the nine Madras Musings Madras Week lectures/shows. At the same time we have allotted space to bring to you a fair idea of what other individuals/organisations/institutions have done by way of events. That so many have come forward to celebrate indicates that people have felt that their city could do with some thanks and get an image boost by way of what it means to its residents.
Among the welcome additions to the list of celebrants are the Government departments and undertakings. The Corporation was an important player, as it should be in a celebration of the city. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Department of Museums, the Department of Tourism and several State-run colleges were participants. There was a lot more they could have done with some advance planning but hopefully this year’s experience and encouraging response should enable them to be better prepared next year. There is however one niggling doubt – how much of this enthusiasm was driven down from up top? The Chief Minister’s greetings on Chennai Day as he called it may have had much to do with it. Will these Government bodies do the same irrespective of who is in office? If that happens, we can say that Madras Day has come to stay.
It has always been the vision of the founders of Madras Day that people ought to observe it in whichever manner they feel is appropriate. That this has taken firm root was evident from the boat ride down the Buckingham Canal to highlight its degradation. It showed that Madras Day does not have to be rosy – it can depict the underbelly as well. More power to the people who organised that boat ride. And may this be the first step in some restoration of the canal.
There were the odd naysayers – that the celebration was of the colonial. This is a mindset that is unlikely to change no matter what happens. That the bulk of the events were by the young and comprised programmes such as art shows, music and dance programmes and quizzes makes you wonder as to where this perception of colonial comes in. Yes, there is bound to be a significant chunk of history in all of this, but can we wish away our past?
Madras Day is nothing but an attempt to spread positivity and hope in our city. We are a metropolis with many achievements and much to celebrate about. And this is something that most large cities in the world do periodically. It brings the city to public notice and showcases its positive attributes. There is nothing wrong in doing this. It is time Madras, the Chennai of today, and notoriously prone to underplay its qualifications, got on with standing up, taking a bow and acknowledging its cheerleaders.
