by Tim Blight | Apr 18, 2015 | Gallery
The Duniya Look: Chennai
In this photography project on UrbanDuniya, we explore our four dynamic cities through their colours, faces and fashion. In a series of beautiful images, we capture the iconic look, the stunning locations and the sensual textures of the places we call home. We began last September with The Duniya Look: Lahore, celebrating Pakistan’s cultural capital, and continued in November with the urbane sensibility of The Duniya Look: Melbourne and then the alluring confidence of The Duniya Look: Sydney in January.
Today we complete our journey around the duniya, with the laid-back charm of Chennai, India’s southern metropolis; an overgrown collection of fishing villages strung along the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is a peaceful and friendly city of traders, workers and rickshaw-wallahs; a busy yet leisurely city filled with temples and traditions, with a modern history juxtaposed against one of the world’s oldest living civilisations. And in the end, it all comes back to the the long, languid beach at sunset.
Join us as we experience the subtle joys of this centre of Tamil culture, with Ananthi Rogini, Mazhar Ahamed, Aamir Suhail Khan and Tim Blight.
by Tim Blight | Feb 11, 2015 | Lounge (The City Life)
Ratna Cafe
Idly is a small, fist size fermented rice cake popular with people across south India, but particularly in Chennai. Served with sambhar (mild lentil soup) and some spicy chutneys, it makes the perfect light meal. While they are aren’t easy to make at home, they can thankfully be purchased for a small cost in restaurants across the Tamil capital.
Idly Sambhar at Ratna Cafe (Photo: Mohammed Fazeel)
While there are many places one can sample the delights of idly sambhar, my personal favourite is Ratna Cafe, on Triplicane Road, Triplicane, new the corner with Pycrofts Road (Whites Road). Ratna’s standing in the Chennai culinary scene is confirmed by an article in Chennai’s The Hindu newspaper, tracing 66 years of culinary tradition.
Idly Sambhar at Ratna Cafe (Image: Happy Trips)
The idlys are perfectly steamed, hot and squidgy as they should be. And the zesty sambhar is piping hot too – smothered all over the rice cakes, served on a banana leaf and accompanied by coconut and tomato chutney. The service is prompt but disinterested.
Pongol at Ratna Cafe (Image: Trip Advisor)
There are other things on the menu, like dosa, pongal and otthapam (all south Indian, all vegetarian of course), and Chennai-style brewed coffee is served, but people come here for the idly. Downstairs is the communal dining room, while upstairs is an air conditioned area. Make no mistake – this is not an upmarket option, by any stretch of the imagination. But for the true taste of idly sambhar, it’s one of Chennai’s most authentic, and best!
Ratna Cafe on Triplicane Road (Image: The Hindu)
Details
Food: 9/10
Ambience: 5/10
Service: 7/10
Cost: INR 100 mains
255 Triplicane High Road, Triplicane
(044) 28487181
Daily: 7:30am – 10:30pm
by Tim Blight | Dec 26, 2014 | News and Opinion
Chennai is commemorating ten years since the day a wall of water came ashore at Marina Beach, killing over 130 people.
Memorial services are planned in Chennai, throughout Tamil Nadu, and around the Indian Ocean, including in Sri Lanka and the Maldives which were particularly hard hit.
Around 9:30am on 26th December 2004 waves of up to ten metres high smashed into Marina Beach in India’s fourth largest city. Some reports suggest that the waves were travelling at up to 100 kph. A Sydney Morning Herald report from the time, quoted a Brajita Poulose describing the scene as she strolled along the beach;
“”Behind me, suddenly, we saw a huge wave coming at us,’ Mrs Poulose said… Her husband, one son and four relatives were drowned, among at least 5697 dead in India”
Initial rescue operation after the first tsunami wave (Image: Kotowski, Wikimedia Commons)
The waves struck without warning, while fishermen were hauling their nets and locals played cricket on the expanse of sand. In various parts of Chennai the water surged kilometres inland from the coast, with the military called upon to rescue survivors.
The earthquake and resulting tsunami remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, with a toll of dead and missing people of over 230,000 people. The earthquake was the third strongest ever recorded with a seismograph, and the longest in terms of duration. Wikipedia records Indonesia as the hardest hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, then India.
The tsunami’s destruction (Image: Kotoviski, Wikimedia Commons)
(Image: Matthew Mayer, Wikimedia Commons)
The road to recovery for Chennai and the state of Tamil Nadu has been a long and arduous one, and one which still continues today for many victims.
On this solemn day, UrbanDuniya extends our thoughts and prayers to those affected by, and who continue to be affected by, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami both in Chennai and around the world.
by Tim Blight | Nov 10, 2014 | Lounge (The City Life)
Teppan Restaurant
(Image: Teppan, Facebook)
The delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine are an acquired taste for many Chennai locals, but for those who dare, Teppan really hits the mark.
Teppan, on TTK Road above Benjarong Thai restaurant, is a delicious, small-scale Japanese retreat from the rat-race happening outside. From the moment you enter, you are in a different world – one where gentle smiles and time-honoured cooking techniques are blended with southern hospitality.
Yakitori at Teppan (Image: Teppan, Facebook)
The whole gamut of Japanese signature dishes are here, and while you can dine a la carte, it’s really worth taking a seat at one of the Teppanyaki tables to have a banquet cooked in front of you.
Sashimi at Teppan (Image: Teppan, Facebook)
Think inventive sushi rolls such as niku maki – salmon, avocado, and crabmeat rolled in rice and topped with partially charred beef – as well as the traditional options like shake maki (salmon roll) and of course that hybrid favourite Californian maki.
Niku Maki at Teppan (Image: Teppan, Facebook)
As can be expected, lots of fish is on the menu – sashimi, Norwegian salmon, and a seafood miso soup. Additionally, to have cooked at your table and served atop fried rice, the beef teriyaki comes highly recommended.
Dessert at Teppan (Image: Trip Advisor)
Western style desserts are offered in small bite-size portions – chocolate cake, creme brûlée, mango pudding; and are set out in a buffet for your choosing. Service is helpful but not overbearing or pushy – overall Teppan has a warm convivial atmosphere which feels somewhat like a parallel universe to the chaos unfolding on the street far below.
Traditional Japanese lunchbox or “Bento Box” at Teppan (Image: Teppan, Facebook)
Details
Food: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Cost: Three courses should cost around INR 1,200 per head
Level 1, 146, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai
(044) 3221 6635
www.facebook.com/TeppanGrillAndSushiBar
Daily: 12:15pm – 3pm, 7:15pm – 11pm
by Tim Blight | Nov 5, 2014 | Traveller
Chennai’s Marina Beach
Chennai
What better way to celebrate Chennai’s naming as one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities for 2015!
After our successful post showing the world how to experience Lahore, Pakistan for less than $25 a day, we’re back with another guest post on eTramping.com! This time, we’re exploring the capital of south India, Chennai, for less than $25 a day!
Agness and Cez from eTramping.com are committed to experiencing the world as ‘tramps’; that is, living on the road for less than $25 a day (and, at a stretch, less than $10 a day!). Come along with us to Chennai as we continue our bargain basement tour of the duniya!
Sri Kapleeshwarar Temple, Chennai
