Broadway Theatre, RIP?

Broadway Theatre

Broadway Theatre

Broadway Theatre

Broadway Theatre

No, I am not talking about the Broadway in New York, but our own humble Broadway Theatre on Broadway- the narrow Praksham Salai in Singara Chennai.

I do not know if it is still operational. When we visited on a Sunday morning, it was locked and there were no posters or signboards to indicate any exhibition of films. Is it the end of this nine-decade-old ‘talkies’, which was popular during my college days?

The rate for balcony, displayed here is Rs.30. Not too bad. During my college days, 50 years ago, it was Rs. 1.66 or Rs.2.50.

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Cattle menace in Chennai

A cow being milked  on the streets of Mandaveli

Most modern cities have a law controlling the rearing of cattle within the city limits. However, in Chennai one sees cattle-stray as well as tethered- all over the city. This causes several issues: safety of road users, safety of the cattle, civic health and hygiene issues etc. Weighed against these are the livelihood and logistics issues of the cattle owners. From time immemorial, there have been attempts to rid the city of cattle but these have been thwarted by vested interests.

Time again for citizens to wake up. else, the whole city will be one big ‘mandhai’.

Stray buffaloes roaming

Bull on Broadway

This is Broadway or Praksham Salai in Chennai.Several bulls and bullock carts can be seen here.

Many shades of blue

Clothes at Dhobi ghat, Pallavaram

Many shades of blue

Rayar Mess

Rayar mess entrance

Rayar mess interior

The once famous Rayar mess is now squeezed for space.It is tucked away in an apartment complex on Arundel Street off Kutchery Road. The entrance is narrow and it is always crowded since it continues to be popular. I visited the mess as part of a food walk two months ago but could not taste their ware due to the crowd packed into the small area.

I am posting this at the request of my good friend and foodie, Raja Ramanathan from Canada.

Free Ice-cream at dusk

Free ice cream distribution at Arubathi Moovar festival,Mylapore. Waiting for stock  replenishment.

A view from Adam Street, Mylapore. One of the many free distribution centres at the 63-var festival.

Anna Daanam at Arupathi moovar

Free distribution of food at temple festival

Anna daanam- free distribution of food – is an integral part of most temple festivals. People believe that by this act of charity they accumulate more ‘punyam’.Individuals, organisations as well as the temple authorities vie with each other for anna daanam.

During the Arubathi moovar festival, one could see pulav, various mixed types of rice, fruits,  buttermilk, rose milk, ice cream etc besides simple giveaways like toffees, plastic fans (visiris) etc.

While lauding the gestures of these well-meaning people, one also wishes that garbage disposal is also given due consideration by all stakeholders including the public .

 

At the Dhobi Ghat, Pallavaram

Wahserme at Dhobi ghat, Pallavaram

Camphor Aarti

aarti

At the ‘theerottam’ at Kapali temple

Vaishnavite in Mylapore

Vaishnavite in Mylapore

Sometime earlier I had posted the image of Shaivite devotees at the Sree Parthasarathy temple Samprokshanam.

Now it is Arupathi Moovar festival at Sree Kapleeswarar Temple, Mylapore. This devotee with ‘naamam’ was spotted in the crowd.

Narikuravas

Narikoravas from the Narikorava colony, Pallavaram

Narikuravas are people from a nomadic tribe indigenous to Tamil Nadu.Their main occupation was hunting. With forests and game no longer accessible, they have lost one source of livelihood. In the cities and towns, they eke out a livelihood by making and selling beaded articles. In Pallavaram, there is a permanent colony of Narikuravas.

Recently, there was a heart-warming tale of the achievement of Swetha, the first woman from the Narikurava community to get an engineering degree. Click here for the full story from The Hindu.