* I step out of the train, my nostrils are welcomed with the familiar humidity.* The healthy, sweaty, hot & humid weather. Yes, it is December in Chennai.
* Fragrance of Jasmine flowers isn't the same anywhere else.
* Early morning walks on the cool sands of the beach.
* The symphony played by the aromas of various brands of filter coffee emanating from the kitchen windows of hardcore 'Kaapi' drinkers.
* Mammoth hoardings of the southern superstars compete with beautiful 'kohl' eyed models in traditional Kanchipuram silk sarees.
* 'Margazhi Mahotsavam'- a series of Carnatic Music concerts by vocalists & instrumentalists during the month of December grips the city.
* Mami's in their silk sarees can be seen rushing to various concerts in the evening.
* Mami's in their silk sarees can be seen rushing to various concerts in the evening.
* Large 'Kolams' ( Rangolis) adorn the entrances of homes.
* A trip to Chennai isn't complete without tiffin at 'Saravana Bhavan' & savouries/papads from 'Ambika Appalam'
* A trip to Chennai isn't complete without tiffin at 'Saravana Bhavan' & savouries/papads from 'Ambika Appalam'
* Relaxing with family, solving 'The Hindu' newspaper crossword, hogging on homemade 'Murukkus' & having freshly brewed filter- coffee is a great way to unwind:-)
Here are some images of Chennai seen through my eyes:-)
Larger than life hoardings of Silk Sarees
The various popular coffee brands displayed.Here are some images of Chennai seen through my eyes:-)Larger than life hoardings of Silk Sarees
Saravana Bhavan for a quick bite:-)
Crunchy Murukkus
A great place to pick up papads, pickles, sambar, chutney powders etc* Translated Rangolis, Carnatic Recitals & Coffee
15 comments:
the top image is absolutely stunning!!! it's just beautiful.
looks like you are having a great time - would love to visit for a day :)
I love December in Chennai - margazhi, to be more precise - kutcheris, early morning prayers in temples, the slight nip in the air... am off to chennai tomorrow - hope to catch a couple of concerts while there :)
Sooppar! Chennai Images all- I especially loved the silk saree hoarding pic with just a hint of the man for proportion & the 'murukku' pic- lovely!
One more thing- LOved your header pic! Its positively bursting with life!
Hi Archana...what a great post and love your banner. you really captured the essence of chennai beautifully. did you pick up any good sarees from Kumaran?
hey Arch,
Long time, yes the picts are beautiful as always...
lovely post :-)
N'Joy
K
Great pictures. as always. Love your header picture too. so real. was in chennai this december on the way to pondy. managed to pick up some goodies from grand snacks. if u havent been there and want some aunthentic stuff... podis, masalas, pulikachal, sweets, whatever.... try to stop by. service is not that great... so be prepared to wait.
charlotte- Thanks:-) Sure you should visit Chennai:-)
charu- Yes, December is a great time to visit Chennai- Do let me know how your concerts went...I would have loved to attend Aruna Sairam & Bombay Jayshree's:-)
vineeta- Thanks:-)) The hoardings are so outrageously huge...I had to capture them;-)
kanchan- Thanks:-) Hey, don't go missing on us:-) Drop by often!
kavitha- Thanks:-)
Do you mean'Grand Sweets'? Yes...it's a great place for traditional sweets & savouries. Actually the wait is worth it cos they keep serving hot Bisi Bele Bath etc during your wait;-) Cool eh??
Drop by often:-))
Pacchai- Thanks:-) Nowadays I just admire the silk sarees in shops & hoardingg cos ultimately they land up in suitcases that are stored away to be worn once in a blue moon;-))
oh my arch! u are making me sooooooo homesick! I can almost smell the kaapi aroma wafting through the air, and also hear my chitti say "Lathu konjo cofi??" :-)
My trips to chennai also never are complete without a stop at saravana for some delicious ven pongal and 14 idlis.. yumm! Love the beautiful pink saree in the kumaran's ad! Time for some new sarees for me i guess!
Thanks for sharing.
:) arch u forgot sukra, grand sweets :P pictures are simply great :))
a many years ago, when i crossed chennai on my way to chidambaram, i too had the similar notion of imagery... huge billboards, beautiful girls wearing gajra(s), cleaner roads (compared to delhi) and yes, the food (coffee and idli andsambar and dosai.) mmmmm.
thanks for sharing the experiences so vividly-a virtual voyage for the senses from a fabulous writer-the gift of gratitude and awareness is ever present and rather contagious!!
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via south of france
nice set of images and notes.
Hi. Great blog and very informative.
Margazhi season is never complete without kacheri in sabhas and also most important element is the silk sarees worn by the performers at sabhas. Those sarees are a show stealer. My friend also sings during the margazhi season and last year she wore a Black Kanchipuram Silk Saree and believe me it was a show stealer.
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