‘I would not trade Chennai for any other city in the world, irrespective of the weather’

After 56 years in Madras, now Chennai, I would not trade it for any other city in the world, irrespective of the weather! In the seventies, after experiencing life in other cities, I found that Madras had all the trappings of a metro city while keeping intact a simplicity, which exuded warmth and friendliness.

Outings meant a walk at the Theosophical Society, sitting under the Banyan tree, visiting residents who were so very different in their approach to life. Talking to Sankara Menon and others like Sarada teacher and Kamala Trilokekar was uplifting, and meeting Rukmini Arundale was a life experience.

Carrying sandwiches and finger food, we would sit on the beach at Besant Nagar, feeding the children and just lying on the sands watching the sun go down. “Thenga Manga Pattani Sundal” were cries we looked forward to.

In the seventies and even eighties, it was still not daunting to drive, with controlled traffic, thanks to people who followed the road rules. You could drive right up to Broadway and still find parking places. Oh the joys of showing Moore Market to our children, and of course Burmah Bazaar! These precious voyages of discovery were organic, unhindered by the intrusion of virtual entertainment.

The looms at Kalakshetra were a joy to behold, magic worked as weft melded into warp to produce exquisite silks, some of them designed by none other than Rukmini Devi.

(As told to Deepa H. Ramakrishnan)