From The Grittiest To The Most Glamorous: The Ever-Evolving Story Of Chennai

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Some experiences in life make you question your blessings. Such was a trip for me to Chennai in September of 2025.

I was greeted with a hand-written invite, I ate Tamil food like it was my last time, and I crisscrossed the city with milions who looked like me – yet were not like me in the way I get to live my life.

The dichotomy of Chennai is special, it has a strange urban like and rural like feeling at the same time. Men are not afraid to rock lungies and women not shying away from looking deeply traditional.

During my short visit there, I laughed, until I couldn’t anymore, with my neice and nephew. I truly understood how my cousins went about their lives, and sat in absolute wonder in my brother-in-law’s studio as he developed an intro for a movie.

Chennai, I will say this. I will be back to sit at your edge, and dip my feet in your ocean for a little longer next time.

Love.

* Featured Image: Chennai Central railway station before the crack of dawn. 

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