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Chennai: A Biography
Chennai that was Madras is India’s southern metropolis and is considered by many to be synonymous with South India. It has the reputation of being conservative, rigid, and unexciting. Chennai too plays along, preferring to hide its history and heritage and downplaying its manifold achievements. To set the record straight, Madras has a strong claim to being the first proper city of modern India and boasts many debuts in that regard—the first regiment of the Indian Army was founded here, the city saw the formation of the first urban corporation in the country, it is home to India’s oldest bookshop, railway station, and lots more. It is also the city where social reformers fought for representation and equality for the most depressed classes much before such movements gained ground elsewhere in India. In short, Chennai is a city of flair, colour, creativity, and numerous distinctions.
V. Sriram takes us through various aspects of the city’s history from the time when it was just a set of scattered villages, through the years of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, to the (disputed) date of founding of the modern city, the debates surrounding its two names, the institutions, systems, and structures that were built by its rulers (from the Cholas to the Vijayanagar kings to the nawabs of Arcot and the British), the Dravidian politics that came out of the Self-Respect Movement, arguments and riots over the imposition of Hindi, and a lot else besides. In addition to its history, he delves into the city’s delectable food, culture, music, dance, and cinema. Rounding off this portrait, he looks at the city as a powerhouse of education, medicare, heavy engineering, automobiles, leather goods, and software.
He shows us what makes Chennai a thriving city, one that effortlessly combines the old and the new, and pulses with life, energy, and opportunities—all attributes of a grand city.
V. Sriram takes us through various aspects of the city’s history from the time when it was just a set of scattered villages, through the years of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, to the (disputed) date of founding of the modern city, the debates surrounding its two names, the institutions, systems, and structures that were built by its rulers (from the Cholas to the Vijayanagar kings to the nawabs of Arcot and the British), the Dravidian politics that came out of the Self-Respect Movement, arguments and riots over the imposition of Hindi, and a lot else besides. In addition to its history, he delves into the city’s delectable food, culture, music, dance, and cinema. Rounding off this portrait, he looks at the city as a powerhouse of education, medicare, heavy engineering, automobiles, leather goods, and software.
He shows us what makes Chennai a thriving city, one that effortlessly combines the old and the new, and pulses with life, energy, and opportunities—all attributes of a grand city.
- GenresHistoryIndiaNonfiction
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2021
44 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 13, 2022
A truly comprehensive tome on Madras/Chennai.
This book is for people who love Madras, people from Madras, and people who have seen at least a little of Chennai.
NOT an intro book for someone who doesn't really care about the city in particular.
The history is interesting, and draws you in. Some might feel it is an overload of information (which is why this book is for lovers of the city).
I hope the next edition has more photos!
I wish we have more such books on other places in TN.
This book is for people who love Madras, people from Madras, and people who have seen at least a little of Chennai.
NOT an intro book for someone who doesn't really care about the city in particular.
The history is interesting, and draws you in. Some might feel it is an overload of information (which is why this book is for lovers of the city).
I hope the next edition has more photos!
I wish we have more such books on other places in TN.
February 17, 2022
Woww.
Deep inside the vortex of convoluted street lanes and gulleys of Chennai or Madras's lies history spawning centuries. Blink and you will easily miss a landmark that the British hoisted, the Portuguese left behind, or the landmarks political leaders built to make Madras a city of cultural heritage.
If not for this book I would have never known the history behind each building, landmark, and the whole city that has been home to me for almost one and a half-decade.
Hats off to V.Sriram for chronicling the journey of Madras from the days of the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and until the present day.
The book is neatly segmented into various aspects of the city. The orderly fashion makes it easy to read. You can easily pick one aspect like food, politics, landmarks, etc. can start without losing continuity.
The writing style is mature yet has a casual undertone to it. It surely doesn't bore you, but there are times when a millennial reader like me could feel overwhelmed with details that I skipped some pages.
All said this is a terrific account of Namma Chennai that cannot be missed.
V.Sriram has intelligently captured how the city has come to be what it is. The sad plight of the city in some aspects cannot be overlooked. Despite its downsides, Chennai carries on without skipping a beat.
Come cyclone, flood, or even an earthquake, nothing shakes the will of Chennai makkal.
Perhaps it is this resilience that makes draws millions to the city after other major metros. After all, it is vandharai vazhavaikum Chennai.
Deep inside the vortex of convoluted street lanes and gulleys of Chennai or Madras's lies history spawning centuries. Blink and you will easily miss a landmark that the British hoisted, the Portuguese left behind, or the landmarks political leaders built to make Madras a city of cultural heritage.
If not for this book I would have never known the history behind each building, landmark, and the whole city that has been home to me for almost one and a half-decade.
Hats off to V.Sriram for chronicling the journey of Madras from the days of the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and until the present day.
The book is neatly segmented into various aspects of the city. The orderly fashion makes it easy to read. You can easily pick one aspect like food, politics, landmarks, etc. can start without losing continuity.
The writing style is mature yet has a casual undertone to it. It surely doesn't bore you, but there are times when a millennial reader like me could feel overwhelmed with details that I skipped some pages.
All said this is a terrific account of Namma Chennai that cannot be missed.
V.Sriram has intelligently captured how the city has come to be what it is. The sad plight of the city in some aspects cannot be overlooked. Despite its downsides, Chennai carries on without skipping a beat.
Come cyclone, flood, or even an earthquake, nothing shakes the will of Chennai makkal.
Perhaps it is this resilience that makes draws millions to the city after other major metros. After all, it is vandharai vazhavaikum Chennai.
January 27, 2023
Having born in this city and claiming it to be my home to anyone outside Tamil Nadu who asked me where I’m from (even though I actually live in a town 200 km away), I barely knew anything about the city’s history until I read this book. It tells you all you need to know about how the city became what it is today. It pretty much covers everything: architecture, food, arts, education, politics, drainage system, religion, etc. The amount of research that has gone into it is evident from the in-depth accounts Sriram gives about each of these aspects. Recommend it for anyone who wants to know Chennai (or Madras) better. Of course, the book also gets into the Chennai vs. Madras debate, going to the roots of it, which stretches to well before the British arrived.
April 27, 2022
The author covers almost all the topics that define a city - history, art, infrastructure, culture, politics etc. But the problem is that more than documenting the history and the current state, this book is more of the author's person opinions and is a very very judgemental work.
A book of this nature is expected to be neutral and document the city rather than load it with one's personal judgements.
The author sees a problem in anything and everything. He is keen on documenting the negatives rather than the good things about the city. Every city has its shortfall. It does no justice only to document these.
Any reader not familiar with the city is highly recommended NOT to read this book.
A book of this nature is expected to be neutral and document the city rather than load it with one's personal judgements.
The author sees a problem in anything and everything. He is keen on documenting the negatives rather than the good things about the city. Every city has its shortfall. It does no justice only to document these.
Any reader not familiar with the city is highly recommended NOT to read this book.
April 3, 2023
Chennai is an emotion for anyone who has spent at least a week in the city. The fragrance of the earth, concrete jungle, Tamilian food - The reasons can be numerous. Here in Kerala, I have met numerous friends and colleagues that reminisce about their Chennai days. We even have a song 'Chennaipattanam'in a Malayalam movie. All these and more created an unprecedented intrigue inside me to know what is special about this city. Chennai - a Biography by V Sriram is indeed the biography of the eponymous city right from the time it was called Madras.
Chennai - a Biography by V Sriram
Everything related to Tamil Nadu has been accounted for for thousands of years. The author has rightfully called out this habit of ours. This assumption is because the city and its language are of the ancient ones in India. The author grabs our hand and takes us through the lanes of Madras in the post-colonial period. It is fascinating to see how the city that grew up around cooum which later became synonymous with gutter emerged to be one of the most influential metros in India. The growth chart is steep and is punctuated by heartwrenching pain, sweat, and blood.
While the author adores the land he leaves no stone unturned in calling out the other side of the picture, be it the MTC buses, or faulty educational system, or the fact that Chennai is the suicide capital of India. While the city is the hub of cosmopolitan life, there is another side to the city where the downtrodden underdogs survive.
The author has successfully portrayed the city as a miniature representation of the variety of human life. Of all the facts that hook humans to the city, food is the prime factor. The author talks about language politics and how molded the city into what it is now. Once we wrap the book, we are content to have known the city inside out with its richness of history, literature, cuisines, politics, and whatnot.
Chennai - a Biography by V Sriram
Everything related to Tamil Nadu has been accounted for for thousands of years. The author has rightfully called out this habit of ours. This assumption is because the city and its language are of the ancient ones in India. The author grabs our hand and takes us through the lanes of Madras in the post-colonial period. It is fascinating to see how the city that grew up around cooum which later became synonymous with gutter emerged to be one of the most influential metros in India. The growth chart is steep and is punctuated by heartwrenching pain, sweat, and blood.
While the author adores the land he leaves no stone unturned in calling out the other side of the picture, be it the MTC buses, or faulty educational system, or the fact that Chennai is the suicide capital of India. While the city is the hub of cosmopolitan life, there is another side to the city where the downtrodden underdogs survive.
The author has successfully portrayed the city as a miniature representation of the variety of human life. Of all the facts that hook humans to the city, food is the prime factor. The author talks about language politics and how molded the city into what it is now. Once we wrap the book, we are content to have known the city inside out with its richness of history, literature, cuisines, politics, and whatnot.
April 4, 2022
If you are from Chennai, you should definitely read this book. And, if you have read this book, there is no need to look for any other book about this city. This book covers everything about the city - literally everything! Politics, culture, heritage, cinema, industries, food, fashion, architecture, music and so on!
It may be easy to list the chronology of events and call it history. But, such books could be used only for reference purposes. It may be common to find the so-called history books about the monarchs and their battles. However, they would not reflect the true history of the region. This book from V.Sriram is entirely different and a genuine biography. It touches on every aspect of the city.
Packed with loads of compelling nuggets, the author has woven an engaging text with his language proficiency. It's a meticulously and exhaustively researched material composed of a fluid-writing style, added with the required quantities of humor and sarcasm.
Let me repeat! No one could have written this book so well! It's incredibly a mammoth task. Besides spending considerable time and effort, one would need enormous knowledge in various subjects to author this kind of book. Be it Kamban's reference about mosquitos or IoT, Alwar's Pasuram, or Ayodhidasar's movement, and the author is well-versed in everything.
As much as I enjoyed the book, I also feel that the author could have dedicated a few pages covering the city events related to the independence movement and the residences/localities of personalities who made this city their homes.
It would have been preferable had he restricted himself to providing factual information rather than being judgmental in certain instances. He could have avoided providing his views and opinions about some people and media houses.
It may be easy to list the chronology of events and call it history. But, such books could be used only for reference purposes. It may be common to find the so-called history books about the monarchs and their battles. However, they would not reflect the true history of the region. This book from V.Sriram is entirely different and a genuine biography. It touches on every aspect of the city.
Packed with loads of compelling nuggets, the author has woven an engaging text with his language proficiency. It's a meticulously and exhaustively researched material composed of a fluid-writing style, added with the required quantities of humor and sarcasm.
Let me repeat! No one could have written this book so well! It's incredibly a mammoth task. Besides spending considerable time and effort, one would need enormous knowledge in various subjects to author this kind of book. Be it Kamban's reference about mosquitos or IoT, Alwar's Pasuram, or Ayodhidasar's movement, and the author is well-versed in everything.
As much as I enjoyed the book, I also feel that the author could have dedicated a few pages covering the city events related to the independence movement and the residences/localities of personalities who made this city their homes.
It would have been preferable had he restricted himself to providing factual information rather than being judgmental in certain instances. He could have avoided providing his views and opinions about some people and media houses.
April 4, 2023
Chennai or Madras I first visited this great city during a school vacation as a child. I still have a faint memory of my father showing me many places in the city of Chennai that day. Then the first solo trip I did in my teenage years was in the big city of Chennai.
It is a sad truth that even in the big city there are still places that are dirty and full of slums.
From India's oldest railway, many reminders of the days of British rule can still be found in the city of Chennai.
Chennai: A biography by S. Sriram is a book that discusses the history, politics, culture and commerce of Chennai.
This book is an asset to know more about Chennai.
ചെന്നൈ അഥവാ മദ്രാസ് ബാല്യ കാലത്ത് ഒരു സ്കൂൾ അവധിക്കാലം ആണ് ഈ മഹാ നഗരത്തിൽ ഞാൻ ആദ്യം പോയത്. പിതാവ് അന്ന് ചെന്നൈ നഗരത്തിലെ പലസ്ഥലവും കാണിച്ചു തന്നത് ഒരു നേരിയ ഓർമ്മ ഉള്ളിൽ ഇപ്പോഴും ഉണ്ട്. പിന്നെ കൗമാര പ്രായത്തിൽ ആദ്യം ആയി നടത്തിയ solo ട്രിപ്പ് ചെന്നൈ എന്ന മഹാ നഗരത്തിൽ ആണ്.
മഹാ നഗരത്തിൽ ആണെങ്കിലും വൃത്തിഹീനം ആയതും ചേരികൾ നിറഞ്ഞതും ഉള്ള സ്ഥലങ്ങൾ ഇപ്പോഴും ഉണ്ട് എന്നത് ദുഃഖകരമായ സത്യം ആണ്.
ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഏറ്റവും പഴക്കം ചെന്ന റെയിൽവേ മുതൽ ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ആധിപത്യ ദിനങ്ങളെ ഓർമിപ്പിക്കുന്ന പല സ്മരണകളും ചെന്നൈ നഗരത്തിൽ ഇപ്പോഴും കാണുവാൻ സാധിക്കും.
S .ശ്രീറാം എഴുതിയ Chennai:A biography എന്ന ഈ പുസ്തകം ചെന്നൈയുടെ ചരിത്രവും, രാഷ്ട്രിയവും സംസ്കാരവും വാണിജ്യവും എല്ലാം ചർച്ച ചെയ്യുന്ന ഒരു പുസ്തകം ആണ്.
ചെന്നൈയെ പറ്റി കൂടുതൽ അറിയുവാൻ ഈ പുസ്തകം ഒരു മുതൽക്കൂട്ടാണ്.
It is a sad truth that even in the big city there are still places that are dirty and full of slums.
From India's oldest railway, many reminders of the days of British rule can still be found in the city of Chennai.
Chennai: A biography by S. Sriram is a book that discusses the history, politics, culture and commerce of Chennai.
This book is an asset to know more about Chennai.
ചെന്നൈ അഥവാ മദ്രാസ് ബാല്യ കാലത്ത് ഒരു സ്കൂൾ അവധിക്കാലം ആണ് ഈ മഹാ നഗരത്തിൽ ഞാൻ ആദ്യം പോയത്. പിതാവ് അന്ന് ചെന്നൈ നഗരത്തിലെ പലസ്ഥലവും കാണിച്ചു തന്നത് ഒരു നേരിയ ഓർമ്മ ഉള്ളിൽ ഇപ്പോഴും ഉണ്ട്. പിന്നെ കൗമാര പ്രായത്തിൽ ആദ്യം ആയി നടത്തിയ solo ട്രിപ്പ് ചെന്നൈ എന്ന മഹാ നഗരത്തിൽ ആണ്.
മഹാ നഗരത്തിൽ ആണെങ്കിലും വൃത്തിഹീനം ആയതും ചേരികൾ നിറഞ്ഞതും ഉള്ള സ്ഥലങ്ങൾ ഇപ്പോഴും ഉണ്ട് എന്നത് ദുഃഖകരമായ സത്യം ആണ്.
ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഏറ്റവും പഴക്കം ചെന്ന റെയിൽവേ മുതൽ ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ആധിപത്യ ദിനങ്ങളെ ഓർമിപ്പിക്കുന്ന പല സ്മരണകളും ചെന്നൈ നഗരത്തിൽ ഇപ്പോഴും കാണുവാൻ സാധിക്കും.
S .ശ്രീറാം എഴുതിയ Chennai:A biography എന്ന ഈ പുസ്തകം ചെന്നൈയുടെ ചരിത്രവും, രാഷ്ട്രിയവും സംസ്കാരവും വാണിജ്യവും എല്ലാം ചർച്ച ചെയ്യുന്ന ഒരു പുസ്തകം ആണ്.
ചെന്നൈയെ പറ്റി കൂടുതൽ അറിയുവാൻ ഈ പുസ്തകം ഒരു മുതൽക്കൂട്ടാണ്.
April 15, 2025
This book rolls off after a slow and somewhat frustrating start, like a sputtering Madras auto with its yellow chassis and black leather cover. Not least because you walk in excitedly expecting a historic dressing down of this hot, sultry, somewhat dirty but bustling monster of a city. Instead it's a bio-data, a skillset summary of Chennai and an excellent companion to understand in particular, its infrastructural geography: waterworks, sewerage, road and rail transport, education, health, and culture. Some bits underwhelm - on literature and cinema (and politics??) but some appetised me exactly as they ought to - including the section on transportation, a world that always always energises me. That said, there are some glaring and even annoying idiosyncrasies - bearing all the conflict of interest that he does, Sriram spelling through his teeth that the Carnatic music world is meritocratic, speaking almost exclusively about vegetarian food in the chapter on the culinary landscape of Madras (I am a vegetarian too by the way, but I have enough friends and have seen enough Tamil cinema to know that this is a gross mischaracterisation), and the borderline paid-news-esque shoutouts to companies, firms, and hospitals helmed by his friends. That aside, for someone visiting the city, this book might open up some treasures. To me at least it has - and I am bearing this book well in mind for my month-long haul of this summer.
October 14, 2022
It's not a conventional love letter to Chennai. It's a humbling experience to people that think they know a bit about the city's history. The author also tries to be more objective and less empathetic with his narrative. I would ideally rate it 3.5 because the writing could have been much better; V Sriram would have really benefited from a better editor both with respect to language and structure. Maybe he faced the classic problem of knowing too much about a subject and not being able to deliver without overloading information. Would still definitely recommend it as an interesting read.
May 28, 2022
A great book about the history of the City and various aspects of life ranging from culture, society, sports, environment, flora and fauna, transportation, industry and economy etc.
May 24, 2024
:/
it's rewarding to finish.
it's rewarding to finish.
October 21, 2024
Interesting read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews