Good morning, Chennai!
⛅ Today’s weather: A bit of sun with clouds hanging around.
🧐 Did you know? Tiffin culture began in Chennai as a stop-gap arrangement between lunch and dinner by the early settlers. Workers would have something to eat which made idli and vada staples.
🖼️ Public art festival
The third edition of the Madras Art Guild was inaugurated to connect communities through art.
What’s it about? With support from the Yuj Arts Foundation, the festival’s third edition got underway at VR Mall. The month-long event will help enhance the city’s image and encourage civic pride through art.
- The inauguration saw the unveiling of the Kala Kar or painted car. The theme is “A Fine Balance” to explore the connections between humans and their surroundings, focusing on sustainability and climate change.
- Among the institutions taking part are SRM Institute, South India Film Institute, Chennai Photo Biennale, and the Cholamandal Artist’s Village. Over 200 installations will be on display. One example is portraits of women scientists based on a UNESCO publication.
Inaugural event: The event at VR ended with a fashion show, Wearable Art, by students from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and SRM. The theme of balance was chosen to showcase modern and contemporary art by using sustainable resources.
🧹 Collecting idol waste
As Ganesh Chaturthi ends, the clean-up begins to collect tonnes of waste.
What’s it about? As the clean-up process began, around 150 tonnes of waste including, bottles, food, flowers, and wooden sticks, were collected from several immersion spots across the city. The corporation deployed sanitation workers to clear the accumulated waste.
- On Monday, workers removed 110 tonnes of waste. Around 50 idols lying on the shore were immersed by the workers. According to the Corporation, over 1,300 idols were immersed on Sunday.
- As part of the Vinayakar Chaturthi processions, officials granted permission for over 2,100 idols to be immersed.
Environmental concerns: Idols made of plaster of Paris (PoP) were a big concern. Despite a ban on them in the state, they were still used. Corporation officials said they didn’t monitor the use of PoP idols.
🗿 Art & Design for the world
A new immersive exhibit innovatively celebrates the convergence of art and design.
What’s it about? Neon Attic, from co-founders and architects Rambha Seth and Sripriya Ganesan, is a multidisciplinary design company that includes projects ranging from luxury home interiors to furniture design. Their art exhibition, Modernism Plus: Art, Design & Beyond, will showcase creativity and exploration with an Indian twist.
- The exhibition will celebrate the convergence of art and design. It includes furniture designers and artists who push the boundaries. The curated pieces are meant to evoke the spirit of ‘Made in India, for the World’.
- The pieces displayed will celebrate Indian craftsmanship and innovative design. The Biophilia subcategory will showcase how design and nature are intertwined.
Inspiration: The inspiration for the exhibit is the iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The show is an ode to MoMA’s long-standing tradition of showcasing innovation and creativity.
Details: The exhibit will take place on September 27 and 28 from 10:30 am to 8 pm at The Folly at Amethyst in Royapettah.
🤡 Clowning around
The International Clown Festival will bring together professional clowns with laughter and cheer.
What’s it about? The festival is unlike any other and will showcase award-winning professional clowns from around the world. The festival will have a lineup of clowns performing for audiences.
- The clowns here won’t be the typical ones. They’re skilled performers in juggling, comedy, and music.
- The festival will also be a melting pot with performances from seven countries including the USA, Singapore, Japan, and India.
At the helm: The driving force behind the festival is Martin Flubber D’Souza, the former Vice President of the World Clown Association. He’s also a previous winner of the Clown of the Year award.
Details: The festival will take place from September 30 to October 2 at the Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall at Lady Andal School premises, with shows from 3 pm to 7 pm.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been to an art exhibition?
- I have been to an art exhibition.
- I haven’t been to an art exhibition.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How would you describe the city’s cuisine?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- MSME stakeholders have threatened to go on strike in Chennai on October 16 to protest a hike in electricity prices.
- Tambaram roads were inundated after just a few hours of rain.
- 200 Elevate SUVs were delivered by Honda in one day at a mega event in the city.
- A South Chennai residence’s reliance on water tankers was reduced thanks to rainwater harvesting.
- Lighthouse Festival’s first edition was inaugurated to celebrate the history of the lighthouse at Marina Beach Road.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have gone on a pilgrimage: 33.3%
- I haven’t gone on a pilgrimage: 66.7% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!