Chennai means everything to me. This city is my home and my best friend. The joy of seeing the Basin Bridge while returning to Chennai with my father Kalaignar, after visiting other parts of the State still stays with me. Even if I tour the globe, true intimacy is only with Chennai.
The people in the city are friendly and helpful, but they are not overly familiar or intrusive. I agree that casteism exists, and many people impose numerous conditions before renting out their houses or flats. Non-vegetarians may find it difficult to find accommodation. There is a divide between North Chennai and South Chennai. Though this is unfortunate, there is also a sense of fluidity. Chennai is perhaps the only city where someone can say they do not know Tamil despite having lived here for decades. Yet the locals embrace them and offer them space.
I feel deeply connected to the city, as it is the birthplace of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The Self-Respect Movement and the reformist policies that brought about sweeping changes in society were conceived in Chennai. It is the fountainhead of all such reforms.
We organise Chennai Sangamam every year to create a space for people’s art forms. Those who doubted its success, believing that Chennai, as a hub of classical music, would not accept it, were proved wrong. The goal of Chennai Sangamam, held during Pongal (a festival celebrated by all sections of society, without caste or creed), is to secure a place for folk art forms and ensure their survival. We did not organise the festival as a rival to the December Music Season. It begins only after the Music Season concludes, and also includes classical music concerts in parks. While popularising folk art forms and offering a springboard for artistes to enter the film world or perform abroad, Chennai Sangamam has also made classical Carnatic music accessible to all residents of the city.
(As told to B. Kolappan)
Published – September 06, 2025 11:42 pm IST
