made of chennai – Artifex.News

Chennai, the city that made me brave and smart, says RJ Balaji

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:36:00 +0000

Actor and film director Balaji Patturaj, popularly known as RJ Balaji.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Chennai is my home. I was born here. I grew up here. I have lived all my life here. This city has made me brave, smart and kind. It has made me who I am today. When I was in the sixth standard, my mother would put me on a bus at Madhavaram Milk Colony and send me all the way to Thiruvanmiyur to stay overnight at a friend’s house. From there I took a share auto to my friends house. I have lived in Saidapet, Perambur, Vadapalani, Porur, Ambattur, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Kotturpuram and Adyar.

I have friends from all walks of life, from tailors to AC mechanics. These experiences have shaped the way I understand and connect with people. Be it the Chennai floods or jallikattu, I have been part of what this city has gone through. I was part of volunteer groups, and people here saw me as one among them.

There is a spot near the Thiruvanmiyur RTO office, where my grandfather and I planted a neem tree several years ago. I take my children there, touch the tree and hug it.

Even now, I take my two wheeler, put on my helmet and a mask, and ride to my favourite places.

(As told to Sangeetha Kandavel)

Published – September 11, 2026 05:15 am IST

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The Hindu’s legacy as rich as that of Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister Rajmohan

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:11:00 +0000

The Hindu’s history and legacy are as rich as those of Chennai, said Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, and Information and Publicity Rajmohan here on Friday (August 14, 2026).

While inaugurating The Hindu’s Made of Chennai Archival Photo Exhibit, ‘Madras on Stage’, at the publication’s office on Anna Salai, he said that The Hindu was a household name in Chennai.

Reminiscing about his college days, the Minister said he would never miss an opportunity to participate in cultural programmes, as well as oratory and elocution competitions. He recollected participating in a radio audition. Although he was selected, Mr. Rajmohan said he was very nervous. “My first boss [at the radio channel] was my biggest teacher, Mr. Navaneeth [L.V. Navaneeth, CEO, The Hindu Group],” he said.

Mr. Rajmohan said he would not have stepped into the media world had it not been for Mr. Navaneeth and added that he had learnt a lot from him. “Mr. Navaneeth created an inclusive work environment, which he learnt here [The Hindu],” the Minister said.

Movement of culture

Thirupurasundari Sevvel, historian and curator of ‘Madras on Stage’, said The Hindu Archives is a huge repository. “Every year, we try to bring some attention to these rare images, articles, and photographs. What we really found interesting was the way culture moved to the city. It happened on the streets, neighbourhoods, and community spaces where people came together to create, experience, and share something,” she said.

“Over the years, artists and performers from different countries came to the city. They brought with them different sounds, ideas, and experiences, and they also became our own cultural story,” Ms. Sevvel said.

“We wanted to bring some of those moments to the foreground. And as we reach the end of the exhibition, there is a small glimpse of cinema because we can neither take cinema out of Chennai nor Chennai out of cinema. Because when we think of Madras, the Chennai Central [railway] station comes to mind. It is simply because that is how pop culture showed it to us,” she said, adding that the exhibition raises the possibility for Chennaiites to explore more, understand, ask questions about their city.

Santhosh V., vice president, Casagrand, and Anand, regional manager, Chennai, AU Small Finance Bank, Chennai, spoke at the event.

N. Murali, Chairman, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited (THGPPL), Ramesh Rangarajan, Chairman of Kasturi and Sons Ltd., N. Ram, Director, THGPPL, Nirmala Lakshman, Director, THGPPL, Rohit Ramesh, Director, THGPPL, Suresh Nambath, Editor, The Hindu, and Mr. Navaneeth were among those present at the event.

Casagrand presents The Hindu Made of Chennai. It is co-powered by AU Small Finance Bank. Associate Partners: Andhra Pradesh Tourism, Joy Alukkas, Orchid The International School, Union Bank of India, LIC; Education Partner: Hindustan Group of Institutions; Mobility Partner: Toyota; Energy Partner: IndianOil; Good Food Partner: Akshaykalpa Organic; Protein Partner: Licious; Overseas Education Partner: StudyIn; Curation Partner: Nam Veedu, Nam Oor, Nam Kadhai; Food Partner: Murugan Idli; ⁠Radio Partner: Big FM.

Published – August 14, 2026 04:41 pm IST

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Chennai is our home, where we can live with dignity and freedom, says Jaya

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 06:12:00 +0000

Jaya, general manager of Sahodaran
| Photo Credit: AKHILA EASWARAN

Chennai means home. Not just a place where my house exists, but the city in itself is home. It’s a place where I came to know about Sahodaran, an NGO working to uplift LGBTQ people. I didn’t think people like me existed, but at Sahodaran, I saw all kinds of people and felt included.

In Chennai, we have our temples, churches, our music, and culture. But in the same place also exists us, transpersons, support organisations, other LGBTQ organisations, and of course, our pride marches. When we see our city over the last 20 years, we can see how much we have moved forward. The change might be slow, but it has been steady.

Previously, we were hesitant to come out, whether it’s our house or outside. We’d disguise ourselves. Today, we are out and loud and not afraid to voice our demands. Stigma and discrimination still exist, but their extent has reduced. There is now a greater understanding and awareness in public spaces. Whether it is with law or medical support, there is now a huge possibility of living with dignity and freedom in Chennai. It is such a joy.

(As told to Meghna M.)

Published – August 14, 2026 08:05 am IST

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