Chennai to celebrate Madras Week on its 375th birthday, starting today

Chennai: The first city of modern India, Chennai, will celebrate its 375th birthday this week beginning from Sunday. The southern city will celebrate Madras Week by dedicating seven days to the history, culture and traditions of the city.

Chennai, then Madras was founded on August 22, 1639 when a strip of land was handed over to the British East India Company by the local Nayak rulers.

Madras Week festivities will include heritage walks, photo exhibitions, lectures and quizes to commemorate 375 years of Madras. Civil society groups and private organisations will together mark the 375th birthday with such events across the city.

One of the residents said, "Vanakkam Chennai, Happy Birthday, I like Marina Beach because it's beautiful and I spend more time on the beach."

ibnlive 17 Aug 14