Good morning, Chennai!
🌦️ Today’s weather: High: 35 ℃ | Low: 24 ℃ | A little cloudy with chance of some rain.
🧐 Did you know? The Madras School of Arts & Crafts was started as a private institution in 1850 by Colonel Alexander Hunter. It was taken over by the colonial administration in 1859 and later upgraded to become the Government College of Arts & Crafts in 1963.
🎨 Metal and mind-inspired art showcase
Two contemporary artists showcase their work by taking wildly different inspirations.
What’s it about? G Gurunathan‘s Looking Back is Looking Forward is a series of large-format abstract works with iron panels that carry grids of solid blocks. Maanas Udaykumar’s sketches are a result of his time taking anti-anxiety medication after being diagnosed with clinical depression.
- Gurunathan’s work is inspired by his travels and Indian craftsmanship. Each panel weighs 50-60 kg and is erected with a specific design. The work is a way to map the urban city on familiar materials like iron and steel.
- Maanas Udaykumar’s work comprises 120 pieces inspired by fragments of memory, past loves, and childhood influences. Some canvasses are even unfinished.
Admiration: For Maanas, having his work displayed alongside Gurunathan’s is an honour since he has admired his work.
Details: The showcases are on display at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Egmore till May 22.
🏗️ Taj residences
India’s first Taj-branded residences are expected to open in Chennai in 2027.
What’s it about? The Indian Hotel Company’s (IHC’s) first Taj-branded residences will come up in Chennai by the first quarter of 2027. It will be jointly developed with the city-based AMPA Group.
- The Taj Sky View Hotel & Residences will be an integrated project comprising 253 keys of the Taj Hotel, 123 luxury housing units, and office space.
- The project is being developed with an ₹850 crore investment. The prices of the apartments will range between ₹6 and ₹19 crore. The project will have the tallest hotel tower in Chennai with 23 floors.
Signature facilities: The project will have the Spectre, a state-of-the-art theatre, speciality restaurants, and rooftop bars.
🚆 Demands of rail passengers
Regular commuters of suburban trains have put forward a list of demands to the Southern Railway.
What’s it about? Given the existing issues plaguing some of the suburban train services in the city, commuters have released a set of demands to improve the service along different routes. They’ve asked for better and more accessible infrastructure and additional lines.
- To reduce congestion, commuters want officials to fully utilise the third and fourth lines between Beach and Anthipattu. They want the Nandambakkam, Minjur, and Ponneri railway footbridges to be completed as soon as possible.
- Since many trains are overcrowded, they want the existing nine-coach trains to be made into twelve coaches, with extra ones reserved for women.
Better and accessible infrastructure: In most stations, platforms are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Commuters have asked for escalators and lifts at all stations. They’ve also asked for better amenities like clean, well-maintained toilets and CCTV cameras for passenger safety.
🚇 OMR-IT corridor metro updates
The construction of stations on the OMR-IT corridor has begun.
What’s it about? The elevated portion will have 10 stations and cover 10 km between Taramani and Sholinganallur on the IT corridor. Apart from building pillars, the acquisition of land is already underway to build station entry and exit points.
- The stretch is on track to be ready next year. It’s part of the 45.4-km corridor 3 from Madhavaram Milk Colony to Siruseri SIPCOT.
- Construction is moving fast as 191 of the 449 pillars have been built, and 65 of the 450 U girders above the tracks have been laid. Construction of the stations will begin next month.
Design layout: This stretch was split into two, with separate contracts awarded. While the Taramani to Sholinganallur line is progressing well, work has stalled on the Siruseri SIPCOT line due to delays in awarding contracts.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Express yourself at the dowithlit Chennai Open Mic Where Magic Happens this Sunday.
- Cheer on CSK at the IPL Fandom Carnival this Saturday.
- Be mesmerised by Magic Shakthi’s Magic Show this Sunday.
- Foodies and storytellers come together at Once Upon a Brunch this Sunday.
- Walk and learn in the Story Walkthrough Velachery this Saturday.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I have a DTH connection in my home: 57.1% 🏆
- I don’t have a DTH connection in my home: 42.9%
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!