Chennai marks Madras Day with multiple cultural events
Chennai celebrates Madras Day with a lineup of events across venues including the Anna Centenary Library and Victoria Public Hall, featuring photo exhibitions, book releases, performances, and heritage walks.
Key takeaways
- A coordinated set of Madras Day activities is planned across multiple Chennai venues.
- Events cover literature, music, heritage walks, and book releases with several timings on the same day.
- Participation involves local cultural groups, libraries, and publishers, underscoring community-driven celebration.

What Happened
Chennai is hosting a series of Madras Day events organized by local cultural and heritage groups. Activities listed include a Madras Day celebration at the Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram starting at 9:30 a.m., a program titled Chennai to Madras, and video screenings at Victoria Public Hall at 10:30 a.m. The INTACH Chennai chapter is releasing and remastering a book, Madras Mosaic by Meera Raghavendra Rao, at Odyssey Store in Gandhi Nagar, Adyar at 5:30 p.m. A cycling-themed book release, Sri Lankan Trail of Madras, is planned at Higginbothams on Anna Salai at 6:30 p.m. A musical program titled Moods of Madras Through its Melodies featuring Akhilesh Rajan and band is set for 6 p.m. at Hotel Aadithya, Arcot Road, Vadapalani. The Roja Muthiah Research Library will host a performance by the Madras MBS Choir at CPT Campus, Taramani, at 5:30 p.m. A Mint Street Food Walk organized by Sridhar Venkataraman will start from Washermanpet Metro Station / Vallalar Nagar – Mint Bus stand at 5 p.m., with attendees paying for what they order. A heritage walk by Nivedita Louis at Don Bosco Tech Campus, Decaster Road, Pulianthope, is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Postally Hut is hosting a postcrossing meet at Ranade Library in Mylapore at 4 p.m. Madhuradhwani will host talks on Kalki’s Madras by Nandhini Vijayaraghavan at Arkay Centre, Luz, at 6 p.m., and on Madras Bashai by Sudha Seshayyan at 7 p.m. at Arkay Centre.
Why It Matters
The events collectively showcase Chennai’s cultural memory and heritage-focused programming around Madras Day, highlighting a mix of literature, music, walking tours, and community engagement. The participation of libraries, publishers, and cultural groups indicates a concerted effort to celebrate the city’s historical identity through public programming across several neighborhoods.
Background
The schedule reflects ongoing Madras Day programming coordinated by cultural institutions and local entities in Chennai, leveraging libraries, bookstores, and public venues to present a range of historical and artistic activities. The events cover literary remastering, heritage discussions, music, and organized walks aimed at residents and visitors alike.
Key Facts
- Event lineup includes activities at Anna Centenary Library (9:30 a.m.), Victoria Public Hall (10:30 a.m.), Odyssey Store (5:30 p.m.), Higginbothams (6:30 p.m.), Hotel Aadithya (6 p.m.), Roja Muthiah Research Library (5:30 p.m.), Mint Street Food Walk (5 p.m.), Don Bosco Tech Campus (4 p.m.), Ranade Library (4 p.m.), Arkay Centre (6 p.m. and 7 p.m.).
- Publishers and cultural groups involved include TTDC, INTACH-Chennai, Higginbothams, and Moods of Madras ensemble.
- Specific events listed: photo exhibition, book re-release/remaster, cycling book release, musical performance, choir performance, heritage walk, postcrossing meet, and two talks on Kalki’s Madras and Madras Bashai.
- Timings range from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. across various venues on the Madras Day calendar.
What Happens Next
The material does not specify further scheduled activities beyond the listed events. Organizers may publish additional details or modify times and venues as the day progresses.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.


