Madras Day 2024: Know its History, Significance, and 11 Interesting Facts

Every year on August 22, Madras Day is celebrated to mark the birth of the city now known as Chennai. This day is celebrated to honor one of India’s most famous cities, which is rich in history, culture, and heritage. Madras Day 2024 is an opportunity to learn about the city’s history, roots, and the value of preserving its heritage.

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 22, 2024

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What is the history of Madras Day?

Madras Day commemorates the Deed of Grant signed on August 22, 1639, which is considered the founding document of the city. The Nayak rulers of the region sold a small piece of land to the British East India Company, on which Fort St. George was built.

Eventually, the present city of Madras emerged around the fort. The festival is a reminder of the city’s humble beginnings to its growth into a thriving metropolis. In 2004, a group of city enthusiasts led by columnist Sassi Nair, historian S. Mutia and journalist Vincent de Sousa started celebrating Madras Day.

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The Madras Day website states: “A city deserves to celebrate its birthday. And Madras, aka Chennai, certainly deserves to be celebrated. So, in 2004, a small group of people who love the city initiated a unique celebration. Madras’s foundation day is considered to be August 22, 1639.

It was on that day and year that the East India Company sold them the small plot of land where Fort St. George now stands. The deal was made between Francis Day, his “Dubash” Berry Timappa and their superior Andrew Cogan and the local Nayak ruler. The deal is believed to have been made on August 22, 1639. Settlements appeared outside the fort. Then the surrounding villages were gathered in. Then the old and new towns were connected. Then we had this city. ”

“Madras Day was an idea that came together among three people – S. Muthiah, a well-known historian from the city of Madras, journalist Sashi Nair and publisher Vincent D’ Souza. Later, three more people joined them – senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, journalist and web entrepreneur Revathi R and entrepreneur, writer and historian V. Sriram,” It added.

What is the significance of Madras Day?

Madras Day is not only a celebration of the city’s history, but also an opportunity to celebrate the city’s diversity, build a sense of unity among its citizens and learn about the city’s history. By celebrating Madras Day, people reaffirm their commitment to preserving the city’s cultural heritage and building a better future for the coming generations.

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How is Madras Day celebrated?

Madras Days has evolved into a week-long celebration of the city’s heritage with a variety of activities. These include a food festival, heritage walks, photography exhibitions and competitions for all ages. Besides educating the public about the city’s history, these events also create a sense of pride among the citizens.

• Heritage Tours: Organized by local organizations and historians, these tours take visitors through various neighborhoods, showcasing the city’s hidden gems and architectural wonders. Georgetown and Mylapore Lane and the British-era Fort St. George are popular routes.
• Lectures and discussions: Professionals from a variety of fields give their views on the city’s development, history and culture. Topics often range from the city’s involvement in the independence movement to the development of its film industry.
• Photography Exhibitions: Photographers use their cameras to capture the spirit of Chennai, showcasing everything from the city’s ancient architecture to its vibrant street life. These exhibitions offer a visual journey through the city’s past and present.
• Food Festivals: Chennai’s food festivals showcase the city’s diverse culinary scene, with traditional Tamil cuisine and dishes from other communities also on display. Chennai’s cuisine is as diverse as its people, with everything from spicy Chettinad chicken to the city’s famous filter coffee.

Madras = love! 💛 #manadilmadras Right here, it’s all about celebrating the city that makes our hearts flutter!#MadrasDay #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/CYZTuaeDni — Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 21, 2024

Madras Day 2024: 11 interesting facts

1. According to Facts.net, Chennai is the fourth largest city in India with a population of over 7 million.
2. Chennai is known as the Detroit of India
3. The city of Chennai played a key role in the development of railways in South India. The first railway line in the region was constructed in 1856 between Chennai and Arcot.
4. Chennai is famous for the dance form of ‘Bharatnatyam’.
5. Chennai has a rich history of journalism and is home to the world’s second oldest surviving English newspaper. The Madras Courier was founded in 1785 and is still published today.
6. Chennai is known for its stunning coastline, the most famous of which is Kovalam Beach (also known as Kovalam Beach). This vast coastline stretches for more than 20 kilometers and is the second largest beach in the world.
7. The city of Chennai was originally known as Madras. In 1968, the state of Madras was renamed Tamil Nadu, but the city itself retained the name Madras. It was not until 1996 that the city was officially renamed Chennai to better reflect its Tamil heritage.
8. The Madras High Court is a prominent judicial institution in India, known for its size and jurisdiction. The Madurai Division of the court is located in Chennai and oversees legal matters in the state of Tamil Nadu. Its sprawling 107-acre campus is the second largest court complex in the world, after the UK Supreme Court in London.
9. Chennai is home to the oldest public zoo in India. It was established in 1855 as the Madras Zoological Gardens.
10. Chennai has a rich commercial history, including the country’s oldest shopping mall. Spencer Plaza in Anna Salai was built in 1863 during the British rule and is a landmark in the city’s retail industry.
11. Madras Central Jail is a historical landmark in Chennai and one of the first prisons established in India during the British colonial rule. Built in 1837, it served as a place of incarceration for centuries until it was demolished in 2009.

Madras Day 2024 is more than a celebration of the founding of a city. It is a tribute to the spirit of Chennai. It is a time to reflect on the journey of growing from a small fishing village to a sprawling metropolis and to celebrate the cultural diversity of the city.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion