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Weekly Photo Challenge: Urban
I took these pictures, while my stay in a city called “Chennai” in south India. It’s a beautiful city with wonderful people. The only things which makes life difficult for outsiders living here are- weather, poor water supply to home, power failures and spicy foods. But people living here are so wonderful that, they make up for all these problems a person living here has to deal with. It’s not my hometown, rather it’s in a completely different part of my country. But for sure it’s one of my most favorite place in India.
Nice pictures! They truly show the beauty of India.
August 25, 2012 at 6:28 PM
Thanks a lot.
August 25, 2012 at 7:06 PM
Nice capture of Chennai’s life. Your blog is interesting, I’ll be back to read some of your stuff.
August 25, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Thank you. I will be more than happy to see you back in my blog.
You are always welcome here.
August 25, 2012 at 7:07 PM
India does look lovely.
August 25, 2012 at 7:23 PM
Yes, It is. Thanks a lot for the visit.
August 25, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Great color. Thanks for sharing!
August 25, 2012 at 7:35 PM
Thanks a lot for the visit Becky. Feels great to see you here again.
August 25, 2012 at 7:57 PM
I took a month off from blogging to spend time with my family (read my latest post if you’re interested) so I have been quiet. I did read several of your posts though. I just didn’t leave a comment.
August 26, 2012 at 12:38 AM
Now I got it, why you were not active in blogosphere. Great to see you back with this great post.
August 26, 2012 at 1:22 AM
had a chance to visit chennai recently. Was there for only a day and it felt very strange. though I’ve stayed in bangalore for short periods – Chennai was a totally different experience. more ever cause I was there on the day of karva chauth. We went around marina beach looking for the moon and a crowd gathered to watch me do the unfamiliar puja. Pretty funny:)
August 25, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Yes I too felt strange on my first visit. But I found it interesting, once I got habituated to their style of living. The difference between Bangalore and Chennai is that; now with the boom in IT industry most of the people living their are from different states. So somehow now they have overshadowed the local people and culture. But in Chennai, their own locality has still hold on the city. I am not sure if in future things are going to change. They will never late others to overshadow them for sure.
) beach most of the times.
And yes, Marina beach is always a crowded place. So We used to visit Vesant Nagar (I’m not sure about it’s spelling
August 25, 2012 at 11:08 PM
The people make all the difference. Newcomers and visitors can adjust to anything if they feel welcome.
What is the red building in the first two photos?
August 25, 2012 at 8:24 PM
Yes, Sir Charles to be honest, not every one welcome us; when We enter their state to pursue our career and dreams. It’s really sad, that when a person in India moves from one state to other, suddenly few people starts treating him as an outsider. And this thing not only happens in one or two states but most of the states.
That red building is the main railway station in Chennai. It’s called Chennai Central. If you will ever visit to Chennai, never forget to take ride in the local train. It will be a wonderful experience.
August 25, 2012 at 10:49 PM
It is always a joy to learn a bit more about our wonderful world and Chennai looks like a spot oozing with urban life. I like the contrast of the modern architecture in the first two photos compared with the last photo illustrating a bit of urban decay. (love the mini buses or is it taxis?)
August 25, 2012 at 8:38 PM
No these were neither taxis nor mini buses. We call them with different names in different places; but in most of the places in India, these are called as auto rickshaw, in my hometown people call it, tempo and foreigner visiting our country call it “tuk tuk” (due to the sound it makes while on road).
Chennai’s culture and life style is quite different from other states. But that’s the beauty of this big country with so many states in it and where every state has its own culture, food, dressing, language, music, dance form or any other art form.
August 25, 2012 at 11:03 PM
I love the name given to things simply by the sounds it makes…tuk-tuk.
Thanks for explaining a bit more on Chennai…now, even that is a nice name!
Overall, India is a very diverse country and I really love the richness of the culture…thanks for sharing, Arindam!
August 30, 2012 at 5:56 AM
I especially love the middle photo as it gives more of a feel for a congested, thriving city.
August 25, 2012 at 9:24 PM
That one is the back side of the building which you could see in the first photo. It’s Chennai’s main railway station.
August 25, 2012 at 10:57 PM
Wonderful blog.
August 25, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Thanks a lot. I am glad you think so about my blog.
August 25, 2012 at 10:55 PM
Nice pictures, Arindam.
August 25, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Thanks Rommel.
August 25, 2012 at 10:53 PM
I love the vibrant colors. It really shows the personality of the people.
August 25, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Yes, their style of living of is quite different. If you enjoy loud music, spicy food, crowded sea beaches then it’s a wonderful place to visit.
August 25, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Nice photos; it looks like an interesting place. Is it a large city?
August 25, 2012 at 11:56 PM
Thanks a lot. Yes it is. It’s the state capital of a state “Tamilnadu”, in southern region of India.
August 26, 2012 at 12:03 AM
Lovely photos! Not sure if I am included in the “wonderful people” since I am not technically a Chennaite, and since I would move in a heartbeat
You obviously missed my post on Chennai Arindam: http://theurgetowander.com/2012/07/23/the-city-i-call-home/.
August 26, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Thanks a lot. But my photos are not as good as yours. I took all these pictures with my cellphone. Your post was excellent. Thanks a lot for recommending it to me. I somehow missed that one.
I hope we were not neighbor then. 
August 26, 2012 at 12:43 AM
I like these pics Arindam… so full of colour….
August 26, 2012 at 1:33 AM
Thanks a lot Paula.
August 26, 2012 at 2:17 AM
The little vehicles are very striking. They look like they would be very efficient with gas consumption.
August 26, 2012 at 2:02 AM
Yes, it’s fun to take a ride in it MJ. Yes it very efficient with gas consumption. Traveling cost with it is much lesser than a taxi.
August 26, 2012 at 2:20 AM
these are great images…I really found myself drawn to the second one though
August 26, 2012 at 2:49 AM
Thanks a lot Jo.
August 26, 2012 at 3:01 AM
Amazing colorful country.
August 26, 2012 at 3:35 AM
Yes, it is! Thanks a lot for the visit.
August 26, 2012 at 3:42 AM
Brilliance at its best ! Keep shooting (i mean the lens way ! lol). Brava !
August 26, 2012 at 3:51 AM
Thanks a lot for these kind words. I will try my best to live up to your expectations with in my limitations.
Have a great Sunday!
August 26, 2012 at 5:04 AM
I love how colorful everything is. Thanks for sharing your country with us.
August 26, 2012 at 7:04 AM
It was always my pleasure to share something or the other with you, Patti.
Thanks a lot for the visit.
August 26, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Wonderful work, you have an eye for colour.. and the very best of subjects to work with.. c
August 26, 2012 at 7:06 AM
Thanks a lot. Great to see you here. I always love visiting your blog.
Have a great Sunday!
August 26, 2012 at 9:23 AM
What colour India has – and uses! I love the boldness. Tell me, Arindam, is the food spicier because of different spices or do they use a larger quantity?
August 26, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Amy aunty, They use a larger quantity. My mom does not use spice at all, so I find it difficult to eat spicy food. And do not worry! When you will visit India (I hope it will be when I will get married, as you always say
) I will make sure, you will taste all the flavors of my country. 
August 26, 2012 at 11:30 AM
I’m with your mother and you, Arindam. I loose the natural flavour of the food when it is over seasoned or spiced. Spices are wonderful if they help bring out the flavour. It’s like love in a relationship, Arindam. A relationship is not just about love…it’s about all the beauty that love brings out in both people.
Attend your wedding? Goodness, what a pleasure that would be…to satisfy all your blogging friends, you may have to share it with us on You Tube!
August 26, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Ha ha!
But sharing that one on Youtube, That’s I am not going to do. 
I am very shy, even I find it difficult to attend marriage ceremonies as they are so crowded and I never visit any crowded place. So to make one of the most private moment of my life, public would be quite an impossible task for me to do. 
August 26, 2012 at 12:42 PM
As I am in India, that too near Chennai, we frequent visit this railway station.I don’t feel anything.
August 26, 2012 at 5:31 PM
Yes, that happens. I will try to picture some new railway stations for you in my future posts; so that you can fee something.
August 26, 2012 at 6:16 PM
Beautiful photos! I would love to visit your country someday.
August 26, 2012 at 7:10 PM
Thanks a lot. We would love to welcome you at our place.
August 26, 2012 at 7:11 PM
These are all great Arindam. I can’t put my finger on exactly why, but #1 is the winner for me.
August 26, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Thanks a lot Jeff.
Yes I too like that one. It captures the whole surrounding, not only the building.
August 27, 2012 at 12:29 AM
That red is so atractive. Lovely pictures.
August 27, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Thanks a lot.
Yes, the moment I saw this building, it’s color and architecture attracted me too.
August 27, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Lovely shots.. I like the colors. too.
August 27, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Thanks a lot Elizabeth.
I am glad to hear that, you liked these pictures.
August 27, 2012 at 8:12 PM
Fun photos. The spice of India is reflected in the colors and the flavors. I would love to try the food. The climate is what holds me back. (I’m a wuss about heat.)
August 29, 2012 at 7:44 PM
Thanks a lot.
Yes it’s quite difficult to cope up with the weather there not only for you, but for us also. And yes as you very rightly said, foods available there have their own unique test. If you love spicy food, then it’s the right place. 
August 30, 2012 at 3:44 AM
i came by looking for a possible post on ‘everyday life’ but found this one instead.
such rich colours, and the spicy food sounds delicious, too. i just had a masala dosa for lunch today at my favourite dosa house here in my corner of the world. so yummy. thank you for sharing these moments from Chennai.
September 17, 2012 at 10:27 AM
I am glad you reached your.
Masala dosa for lunch, it’s sounding interesting. We have it for breakfast. Yes, I too love masala dosa. Chennai is full of life and spice. 
It’s wonderful that, you can enjoy flavors of Chennai at some other part of the world.
September 17, 2012 at 4:10 PM