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Sunday, August 24, 2025
TopicMadras

Topic: Madras

How the East India Company picked Madras as a base. It all starts with a love story

In The Tamils, author Nirmala Lakshman crafts a rich and expansive exploration of Tamil history, society, and culture.

Marina Beach shoreline was garlanded with barbed wire & a ‘dummy fort’ to scare away Japanese bombers

In The Great Flap of 1942, Mukund Padmanabhan recalls the time between December 1941 to mid-1942 – when the Raj panicked over a Japanese non-invasion.

Bleeding Madras, George Cloth – How ‘Real Madras Handkerchiefs’ gained global popularity

Colonial merchants in the 19th century added the word ‘Real’ to Madras Handkerchief’s name to distinguish the handwoven cloth from imitations made in Europe.

From religious meetings to music concerts, how ‘sabha’ culture changed in Madras

The book Music, Modernity, and Publicness in India edited by Tejaswini Niranjana explains how musicians moved to colonial cities and formed exciting spaces of listening and desire.

Salem Godavari, Carnatic vocalist who fought superstitions to record erotic compositions

Salem Godavari is a forgotten footnote and sadly evokes no memory in Carnatic musicians or connoisseurs.

IAS aspirant to auto driver — how Chennai’s gully boys & girls fight inequality with music

The Casteless Collective, founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and music producer Tenma, has grabbed attention with its use of gaana music and powerful lyrics.

Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar: The man Ambedkar said was ‘better’ than him

Ayyar, a member of Constituent Assembly, had an unparalleled knowledge of the world’s constitutions, said Ambedkar himself.

Behind the scientific brilliance of Ramanujan & Salam lay religious inspiration

With Hindutva in India, and persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan, it becomes important to note that both scientiests thanked religion for their work

On Camera

India-China conflict began in 1947, not 1962 war. Its lessons still haunt New Delhi

Indian political leaders will have to prepare their public for the prospect of concessions India never really held—just as Chinese leaders must admit Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh were never theirs.

New insolvency frameworks to shorter timelines, how 2025 amendment bill proposes to transform IBC

New bill aims to fix key issues with IBC 2016, including delays & patchy implementation, and protect creditors, with window for genuine promoters to retain control of their companies.

India and France to jointly develop and manufacture 120 kN engine for homegrown AMCA

The new engine, set to be developed over the next 10 years, will power the second tranche of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. First set will be equipped with GE 414 engines.

That Oval Office picture for ages deserves closer Indian reading, with a geopolitical lens

Putin sees this as a victory. Europeans have decided to deal with Trump on his terms for the sake of the larger Western alliance. We look at the lessons for us in India.