The Madras Day celebrations have morphed into a month-long event in the last six years since they began. The events during the month will familiarise residents with the city they now live in and provide a glimpse of what it might be a decade hence.
The celebrations began with a ‘photowalk' for children on Sunday and will end with two short plays titled ‘ Two tales of a city ' on August 29. Though some of the events are by invitation only, there are others that are open to all residents of this 371-year-old city.
In the next few weeks, the history of the city will come alive in English and Tamil lectures on IT, advertising, music, films, the ubiquitous ‘Madras Bhashai,' the culture, temples and architectural firms of the early 20th century.
Children will participate in a number of competitions: essay, debate, quiz contests and inter-school multimedia presentations.
They will have opportunities to learn to play traditional games.
A celebration is incomplete if the taste buds are not satisfied. Food carnivals and a heritage tour of Fort St. George by night are also on the anvil. A craft workshop based on the concept and principles used in kolam will also be held.
The Indian National Trust for Culture Heritage will hold poetry contests for Chennai Schools' students. College students can participate in 2-5 minute video clip contests and ‘dialects of Madras Presidency.'
For details contact 43060479/24918479.
The Alliance Francaise and the Goethe Institute are also holding programmes as part of the celebrations.
