The Art of Seduction-CHENNAI STYLE
THE MYRIAD HUES OF THE CITY NEVER STOP FASCINATING ME
music festivals in the world— Margazhi—also boasts of one of the strongest film industries in the country, which I’m happy to be a part of.
Chennai has revived the almost extinct Olive Ridley turtles, groomed the likes of Vishwanathan Anand and Leander Paes (who started his career at the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy before scaling the pinnacle of Doubles Tennis and starring in The Chennai Open), and above all, displays the kind of inspiring spirit that is unique only to it.
Right from bouncing back from natural disasters such as the floods and the Tsunami, to proving its mettle in sports, the city every now and then unites itself beyond all divisions, to surprise us with an inexplicable bond that makes all its negatives (which I admit are as many), disappear when we sit down to judge it on its merit.
I’m an avid backpacker and make it a point to travel as often and as far as I can. And every time I do, I admit, I almost never want to come back due to reasons of my own. But then, you’re hit by the urge to return to this lazy city—despite its infamous heat and humidity, rampant unprofessionalism in various quarters, its megalomaniacal characters, the stench that greets you from open drains that were once beautiful rivers, and every one of that reason that made me want to run away from it the day I landed here.
I embrace this city with the love that it has shown me. I miss its Woodlands drive-in, where many a relationship was formed and broken, I miss many of those spacious bungalows with their vast gardens that have now been replaced by rows of flats or commercial buildings, I miss some of those sleepy lanes that are now filled with traffic and smog. But the bane of development apart, the promise of what and how much can still be done keeps you rooted here.
There was a time when I wanted to start a movement called, ‘Proud to be a Madrasi’, to stick it to that designer in Delhi, but thankfully I thought better of it. I don’t really care about being proud of where I am from; as long as I am happy, it all adds up. This city and its people have contributed to my life enough for me to gladly spend as much time as I can giving back and making it the best city it can be. Sunder Ramu is a city-based film and stage actor and photographer
Chennai was ‘Madras’ when I first came here. It is the city I have lived in through the second half of my life. And counting. I came here from Bangalore to study Visual Communication at The Loyola College and have stayed on. Although, I must confess I was most reluctant to make this move and ready to leave at the drop of a hat during my initial years here. But, like a wily seductress that has you under her spell; unveiling layer by layer, she kept me here, not knowing why exactly, but knowing enough that it wasn’t time to leave. Not just yet.
Every time I wanted to pack up and leave to pursue a career—in photography and now acting—in a more professional and rewarding environment, I was reminded of how great artists of excellence in various fields have been churned out from this very city. From music to sports, cinema to the arts; from the sculptors of Mahabalipuram to the string of the best cinematographers in the country—the diverse talent this city has offered is indeed commendable.
Many years ago, when I was in Delhi to attend the wonderfully talented designer Rehane’s show at a Fashion Week, I came across a designer from there, who, impressed by a calendar I had shot for Rehane, got chatting with me. We initially bonded over my city of origin, Bangalore, and spoke highly of my future in the industry. However, when we got down to exchanging contacts, he looked at me with almost a sense of disbelief, as he ran through my card. “You’re a Madrasi?” he blurted, after which he gave me quite the cold shoulder.
Like a lot of cities in India, Chennai has a strong flavour of its own. I’m certainly not one to compare it with its counterparts and see how it fares alongside them on a ‘Best City to Live in List’ but I would in fact like to try and unravel the mystery that has kept me here and celebrate the positives of this coastal city, which is rich in culture and its array of beautiful historical structures spread across.
I’ve always been in love with the coast—something that I couldn’t get in Bengaluru. The second longest beach in the world, the Marina, also has some of the best old- school architecture and heritage worthy sites surrounding it. Areas rich in character and oldworld charm, such as Mylapore, Sowcarpet, Parry’s Corner and Triplicane, thrive alongside posh neighbourhoods such as Poes Garden and Boat Club—striking a wonderful balance between both the worlds. Temples, palaces, mosques and fine examples of British and Mughal architecture, house important government offices and flea markets alike. Before I start sounding like a travel guide, I must admit that my fascination for these places stems from the fact that they constantly inspire me in my visual work. They serve as a great foundation and influence to the arts that I pursue.
The city that hosted the nightingale MS Subbulakshmi and numerous greats of Carnatic music and dance in one of the largest