Madras Day 2022: Every year August 22 is marked as Madras Day. It is believed that on this day, Madras city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu was founded in 1639. On this day, the foundation for the modern city was laid by the East India Company by buying land for building Fort St George from local rulers. This year marks the 383rd anniversary of the foundation of the city.


Significance


Madras Day commemorates the foundation of the city when the East India Company purchased the land from Vijayanagar Empire. This day marks the establishment of Madras, modern-day Chennai and celebrates its cultural heritage.


History


The idea to celebrate this day dates back to 2004, when journalists Shashi Nair and Vincent D’Souza, and historian S Muthiah were attending the trustees’ meet of the Chennai Heritage Foundation.


They took their cue from the celebration of Mylapore Festival organised every January. It was decided to mark the foundation, the heritage, culture and tradition of the city in a similar fashion.


The Madras Day celebrations began in the year 2004 with five events that rose to 60 by the year 2007.


Celebrations


Madras Day marks the present and past of the city and every individual, cultural groups and communities are encouraged to take part in the celebrations. The city witnesses heritage walks, public talks, exhibitions, public performances, food festivals, among other events, on this day.


Several discussions, lectures and conferences are organised explaining the culture and heritage of the city.


Madras Day 2022 Celebrations


A series of events were planned by Chennai Corporation and other Chennaiites to celebrate Madras Day this year.


According to a report by The Hindu, Chennai Corporation had earlier said that the celebrations will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Elliot's Beach in Besant Nagar.


Traffic Advisory


In view of the celebrations, Chennai Police issued a traffic advisory, diverting a number of routes till 6pm on Monday.


As per the advisory, there will be a diversion from 16th Cross Street towards 2nd Avenue, for traffic coming from 7th Avenue and heading towards 6th Avenue Elliot’s Beach.


Also, at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 16th Cross Street, traffic heading north on 16th Cross Street to 6th Avenue will be diverted, the advisory said.


The traffic advisory further mentioned that at the intersection of 3rd Main Road and 2nd Avenue, the traffic heading west on 3rd Main Road to 6th Avenue will be diverted.


The advisory further said that access to 6th Avenue and Elliot's beach for traffic approaching from 4th Main Road and 5th Avenue will be restricted.