Chennai

Travel to Chennai: History, Culture and Cuisine

History of Chennai

The Chennai region was known as Tondaimandalam in ancient times and had its military headquarters at Puzhal, which is now a small settlement on the outskirts of the city.

Modern Chennai developed from a small settlement when, in 1639, the fishing village of Madraspatnam was selected by early English merchants of the East India Company as a site for settlement. It was established on land granted by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijayanagar rulers of Hampi.

A small fort was built at the fishing settlement in 1644. A city subsequently grew around Fort St. George and the area later became known as George Town.

The settlement became independent of Banten in Java in 1683 and received its first municipal charter in 1688 during the reign of James II. Chennai therefore has one of the oldest municipal corporations in India.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, when the British and French competed for supremacy in India, the fortunes of the city changed several times. Chennai was briefly occupied by the French and was later used by Robert Clive as a base for military expeditions during the Carnatic Wars.

During the 19th century, the city became the headquarters of the Madras Presidency, one of the major administrative divisions of British India.

After independence, the city continued to be known as Madras until the Government of Tamil Nadu officially adopted the name Chennai in 1996.

Chennai Cuisine

Chennai is famous for its delicious South Indian cuisine, which is very different from the food of North India but equally popular and widely enjoyed.

From idli, vada and idiyappam to uppuma and dosa, Chennai offers a wide variety of flavours. Numerous vegetarian restaurants serve traditional meals on banana leaves, particularly during lunch.

You can also experience Chettinad cuisine, a speciality of Tamil Nadu. It is particularly popular among those who enjoy spicy and flavourful non-vegetarian dishes. It includes various fish, mutton and chicken preparations, with Chettinad pepper chicken being a notable speciality.

Chennai Filter Coffee

Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, is famous for its filter coffee. To prepare it, coffee beans are first roasted and ground. The coffee powder is placed in a filter and boiling water is added to prepare the decoction, which is allowed to settle for around 15 minutes.

The decoction is then mixed with milk and sugar according to taste. The drink is poured rapidly from one vessel to another to create the characteristic froth of South Indian filter coffee.

Traditional Food of Chennai

As Chennai remains deeply connected to Tamil culture and traditions, these are strongly reflected in its cuisine. Rice is the staple food of South India and Chennai is no exception.

Rice forms an important part of breakfast, lunch and dinner. A traditional lunch generally consists of cooked rice served with vegetables, sambar, chutneys, rasam and curd.

Non-vegetarian meals may include curries or dishes prepared with mutton, chicken or fish. Meals are often accompanied by crisp papads or appalam.

Breakfast, or tiffin, includes dishes such as:

• Idli
• Dosa
• Vada
• Pongal
• Uppuma

These dishes are commonly served with coconut chutney, sambar and podi mulaga, a dry mixture of lentils and spices traditionally eaten with oil.

Chennai cuisine offers a wide variety of recipes. Menus have been influenced by different communities that have migrated to Chennai from various parts of Tamil Nadu.

During festivals and special occasions, traditional Chennai meals are still served on banana leaves, an important part of Tamil culinary tradition.

Chennai also offers modern and international food options. Pizza restaurants and fast-food outlets have become part of the city's urban lifestyle. Tamil-style Mughlai cuisine can also be enjoyed in dishes such as biriyani and paya.

How to Reach Chennai

By Air

Chennai is well connected with destinations across the world. The Chennai International Airport Anna Terminal receives international flights from numerous airlines.

Domestic airlines operate daily flights to major cities across India from the Kamaraj domestic terminal. Both terminals are located at Meenambakkam, approximately 20 km from the city centre.

By Train

Chennai is the headquarters of the Southern Railway, an important division of Indian Railways. The city is connected to numerous cities and towns by superfast and express trains.

The two major railway stations are Chennai Central, which primarily connects the city with northern and western India, and Chennai Egmore, which connects Chennai with southern India.

Chennai also has an electric suburban rail network known as the MRTS, connecting different parts of the city.

By Road

Chennai is well connected to major cities across India through an extensive road network.

Public bus services from Tamil Nadu and other states operate from the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu. Interstate buses and numerous private operators are also available.

Prepaid taxis and airport buses are available at airports and railway stations.

People of Chennai

Most residents of Chennai are Tamils and descendants of communities from different parts of Tamil Nadu. There are also significant Telugu and Malayali communities.

As a regional centre since the British period, Chennai is also home to Anglo-Indian, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati and Marwari communities, as well as people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The city also has a growing expatriate population, particularly from the United States, Europe and East Asia, working mainly in industries and technology centres.

Languages of Chennai

Tamil is the primary language of the city. English is widely spoken and is particularly used in business, education and other professional fields.

The Tamil spoken in Chennai incorporates many English words and is popularly known as Madras Bhasai.

Other languages spoken in the city include Telugu, Malayalam and Urdu, which have also contributed to the vocabulary of Madras Bhasai.

Festivals of Chennai

Chennai celebrates numerous festivals throughout the year. Pongal, celebrated in January, is one of the most important festivals and continues for several days. It is a harvest festival deeply associated with Tamil Nadu.

Tamil New Year, which marks the beginning of the Tamil calendar, is generally celebrated on 14 April.

As a cosmopolitan city, Chennai also celebrates major religious festivals such as Deepavali, Eid and Christmas.

Culture of Chennai

Popularly known as the “Gateway of the South”, Chennai has a distinctive culture that differs from many other cities in India.

As a cosmopolitan city, its culture reflects the diversity of its population and has created a unique blend of traditions. Although Chennai is a modern city, it continues to maintain strong traditional roots.

Traditional music, dance and other forms of Tamil Nadu's art are highly popular. The city combines traditional food culture with modern restaurants, ancient temples with modern skyscrapers, and classical music and dance with a growing nightlife scene.

Hotels in Chennai

• The Pride Hotel, Chennai
• Benzz Park Tulip, Chennai
• Grand Orient, Chennai
• Sea Shell Residency, Chennai
• Ambica Empire Best Western, Chennai
• Atithi / Dee Cee Manor, Chennai
• Blossoms Serviced Apartments, Chennai