More on the Madras Week …

More running around on account of the Madras Week. I admit that it’s much more enjoyable (for me), to go to events when I have a genuine excuse to do so. This morning, went to the Exhibit in the Government Museum, and was pleasantly surprised to see the old books displayed there.  Spent and hour or so, peering at ancient photographs which had wierd people staring fixedly at cameras circa the 1800s. Also took a look at those huge rupee-notes that were churned out by yesteryear govts – as big as a page, and looking as colourful as kiddie textbooks! I remember them from old movies. What caught my attention more, however, was the collection of old British names and the corresponding places today.

Anyway. Here’re a couple of pieces I did for the Indian Express, on account of Madras Day.

1. Of High Teas and Idlis (Geetha Doctor’s lecture on Eating Out)

2. City through Coins and Colours (Rod Hudson’s Collection) 

La Madras Week

There was a time when I’d blog practically everyday … now I haven’t popped in here for months. No real reason – except that the steam sort of piped down. Have to resurrect this stuff. I haven’t been writing fanfction either. The other day I got this weird letter from Poland – Poland! – that I was a wicked, pitliless female who liked leaving all her readers in the lurch. Made me feel all puffed up with pride, I tell ya.

Madras week is doing the rounds – and, like last, year, there’s a whole bunch of activities going on. Last year’s lectures were a treat – especially Prof Venkatachalapathy’s talk on Songsters of the Crossroads. This year, umpteen organizations have pitched in, turning this rather off-beat event into a ‘this-is-the-in-thing’ celebration. I attended the Geetha Doctor speech on Monday, and today I’ll probably be at Chamiers, for today’s lecture.