CHENNAI, FROM PAST TO FUTURE

What does Chennai mean to you? What do its erstwhile office buildings, statues, temples and flea markets tell you? Find out from people who’ve spent their days dwelling into these questions in two amazing photo exhibitions—Ancient Temples of Madras by KT Gandhirajan from August 13 to 31 at Kadambari art Gallery, Dakshina Chitra, and an exhibition on Tirukkural by architect Dhana, on August 19 at the Madras Literary Society, DPI Complex, College Road, Nungambakkam. Many such events that will engage and inform you have been planned for the annual Madras Week festival. You can join the Cycling Yogis and ride down from the city all the way up to the Sadras Fort, traversing the scenic East Coast Road, on August 21. “Newer efforts are gaining ground—Vysarpadi in north Chennai is hosting its own local fest to showcase its positive side, when many consider it to be the crime and grime zone of our city. The idea is to make people proud of their city and appreciate its uniqueness, its heritage. Hopefully, it will also encourage them to protect that heritage,” says Vincent D’ Souza, organiser, Madras Week. Details themadrasday.in