At a centenary celebration of poet and freedom fighter Rabindranath Tagore, hosted at the iconic Woodlands Hotel in 1961, an unusual congregation is spotted. Stalwarts of the Indian film industry including director Satyajit Ray, and producers AV Meiyappan and B Nagi Reddy sit together and chat as old friends. In 1973, inmates of Madras Central Jail are photographed on Good Friday, sitting in rows to listen to spiritual teacher Kirupanandha Variyar preach about well-being.
Party for Satyajit Ray at Woodlands on May 09, 1961 by Tagore Academy in Madras for Tagore Centenary celebrations. Picture shows, (L to R) Satyajit Ray, AV Meiyappan and B Nagi Reddi at the function.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
These monochrome photographs make up Madras on Stage, an archival photo exhibition drawn from The Hindu‘s vast archives at the newspaper’s headquarters on Anna Salai from August 14 to September 10. Part of The Hindu’s annual Made of Chennai campaign, the exhibit, now in its fourth year, is a staple part of the exercise, where guests from the city are invited to the campus of the legendary Art Deco office building, and sift through old photo prints collected over generations.Bringing together decades of photojournalism, the exhibition traces Chennai’s cultural life through performances, conversations, festivals, and everyday gatherings. Moving beyond celebrated artistes and familiar stages, it turns its attention to the streets, neighbourhoods, and community spaces. The exhibition marks the beginning of month-long celebrations for Chennai’s 387th year.
