Selective Amnesia There was a point to this. But I forgot.

The thirtyeight-th and thirtyninth Chennai PhotoWalk

February 2011 was a low month for me. Among many disappointments, the worst was that I couldn’t organise a photowalk for reasons absolutely not in my control. One more reason to hate the UK Border Agency.

SO, to make up and to spice things up, and because it is after all Mad March, two photowalks from the price of, well, two photowalks.

the 38th Chennai PhotoWalk. Satuday March 12, 2011. Thiruvotriyur and Environs. 6 AM.

The Thyagaraja Swamy temple in Thiruvotriyur is a Pallava creation. But as in most temples of Madras, the Cholas and the Vijayanagaras aren’t content to merely live and let live, and have to necessarily fix broken temples and make them bigger, better. And this is what we’ll see on March 12 2011. Thiruvotriyur as a village is as old as time, and has been occupied nearly continuously through all prehistory and history.

Or well, that’s the story I am going to tell and stick to it. You’re welcome to come and disagree with me. Just come. Walk with us. And see a part of Madras I bet less than half you young ones have seen before in your life.

Thiruvotriyur is also famous for being on the sea front. The shoreline has been receding quite dangerously over the last 50 years. Breakwaters and groyenes are helping keep the fury of the sea at bay (see? Nice subtle pun there) and are superb photo-ops as well.
As is the graveyard temple of Pattinathar.

First of the March 2011 walks, then, on the 12th, in Thiruovtriyur. Start point: The Thiruvotriyur Thyagaraja swamy temple East gopuram at 6 AM.
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The 39th Chennai Photowalk. Sunday March 20 2011. Guindy Race Course (possibly) and environs. 7:30 AM

Another of those old-as-time localities, Guindy must also have been occupied by humans throughout prehistory. And history. With dense forests (fed by the Adayar river, in its pre-open sewer state) and on gentle rising land (Madras’ elevation goes up gradually, west and south of the beach that defines it) rich with game and rocky outcrops that provided shelter, Adayar, Guindy, Saidapet and Pallavaram/St. Thomas Mount were all superb candidates for human colonisation. Which is perhaps why, legend or myth, St. Thomas is said to have lived on his hill, preached in Saidapet’s Little Mount and Marina just north of the river mouth.

Be that as it may, Guindy is a superb location for a walk, and a part of Madras I haven’t exploited much for these little jaunts. I’m trying to get us all into the Race Course. A coup it might be, but not the end of the world by any means. Guindy has other treasures for us. The lovely King’s Institute and gardens, with its rambling and crumbling old buildings, the bend of the river Adayar with its superb view across the industrial estate, Hotel Zen Gardens, and many new and old things to shoot.

SO that’s the plan. Sunday, March 20 2011, at 7:30 AM. Start point: Guindy Railway station
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As always, for information and directions, email me or call 988four4six7463
—Update: Apologies to those reading this off the feeds. Note: 39th Walk is on Sunday March 20, not the 19th.