Mad'Ras

Though, I was born in the district of Thanjavur ( Sounds like the District of Columbia, huh ?!?! ), a tiny little town called Mayiladudhurai ( popularly known as Mayavaram ), where till now i had gone only twice if my memory serves me right, i hav got a fairly good enuf view about Chennai... I knew about Chennai right frm its days when it was called as "Madras", simply becos I hav been brought up there for almost 22 years.

I'd jus now been separated frm Madras ( I feel like Madras was like more of a name which finds place in everybody's tongue rather than "Chennai".. though, now everybody seems to be changing themselves to call our City, Chennai ) before 2 years or so.Yet, the Charm is still keeping its position in me.Although, the climate used to be unfairly Hot out there during the months of summer..I used to wonder, the word summer got its name frm its closely-related city-Madras or Jus becos Madras was Heat there existed a name "Summer". To sum it up, its rationale thinking.

This Blog's title isnt "Madras" but, its "Mad'Ras". It's got some meaning to it.I've never travelled to any other major cities in India.Not even to Bangalore, Hyd, or any other northern cities like Delhi or its western-counterpart Mumbai.But, hav visited Andhra a heaven lotta times since it was my father's native.So, it makes sense, that I am really Mad about Mad'Ras.

Madras has got its own Profile.Having stamped as the Southern Metropolitan of India, it's often tried to serve its purpose.It has developed a lot during the past decade.There seems to b a lotta differences every time i visit Madras after i'd come here.

Madras has got its own culture and its places.... Especially the Marina Beach.For record, i guess, its the Second largest beach in the whole world, only second to the Florida Beach in the US.That itself shows the kinda culture it holds...As for me, I, myself,hav seen some beaches in india & in here.During the Post-Tsumani period, hav gone to many beaches here in Indonesia.But, the fear of Tsumani was the most fearful aspect of such visits.

I really feel like missing a lot of Chennai----

• its charm,
  
• its climate ( huh, wat a heat ?!?! ),
  
• the MTC Bus services,
  
• the lingo ( ore bejaaaaaaara keedhu ba ....) and the people,
  
• During Rainy seasons--the roads,
  
• Not During Rainy seasons--the roads,
  
• Cricket matches we used to play having the bet amount not higher than Rs.2/-,
  
• a Ride in the bicycle to nowhere,
  
• Travelling in the footboards of City buses not giving any kinda reaction to the yelling conductors, as if they were concerned about their own lives and not ours,
  
• Having forced to go 4-bles ( like doubles or Triples, as it goes ) and carefully getting down at the signal point to avoid being caught by the Traffic Policeguys ( popularly known as "Mamas" ),
  
• The khana-peena in hotels specially in the kaiyendhi bhavans,
  
• IF cricket matches no-food,no-water literally like a sanyasi in front of the TV screen
  

and the list is endless..

Aint i Mad about Mad'Ras ???????? How about u ????