Visiting Chennai January 31st, 2009
India is a country of contrasts. Its cities are filled with both ancient landmarks and modern steel structures. Hindu traditions are honored while contemporary urban lifestyles are adopted in the growing megacities. Eastern heritage clashes and then blends with Western influences and fashions. Chennai is one example of how the contrasts of the past blend to create modern India.
Technology is on the rise in Chennai, as in many parts of India. Business-outsourcing and information technology are booming industries for Chennai. The city has developed an infrastructure of modern office complexes and the restaurants, shops, and clubs that support the hordes of office workers bringing India into the modern era.
Yet, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and, therefore, the center of all Tamil culture and history. Tamil populations throughout India and the rest of the world look to Chennai to preserve and celebrate this rich heritage of food, art, dance, music, and film. During British colonialism, Chennai was known as Madras and the annual Madras Music Festival is still held there each year. It offers five weeks of Indian theater, music, and dance, including Bhratanatyam, a classical Indian dance for which Chennai is world famous.
The National Art Gallery in Chennai provides a sampling of Tamil and general Indian artwork. The city is also home to numerous museums, historic temples, and architecturally stunning mosques that provide further insight into India’s rich past.
Visitors will want to take advantage of the great shopping available in Chennai. From neighborhood markets to modern malls, shoppers can choose from everything from traditional Tamil arts and crafts to electronics and designer clothing. Hotels range from traditional inns to five star Chennai hotels. And Chennai ofers delectable Tamil cuisine as well as foods from other regions of India and even from other parts of the world.
Those wanting a more outdoors experience will find plenty of opportunities in Chennai. The city encompasses an entire National Park (one of only a handful of cities in the world with that distinction). The numerous beaches offer windsurfing, swimming, and sailing as well as simple sunbathing. Chennai boasts beautiful botanical gardens, several wildlife preserves, and zoos. Sports enthusiasts will find that Chennai is a center for motorsports, tennis, and is the home of one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India.
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- Posted by Cliff
- Tagged Arts & Culture, Travel
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