Postcards from Madras

I can never call it Chennai, to me the city is always Madras.

Over the past few months, my work has taken me there a number of times. More than half my team sits there, and try as much as I want, I don’t think I can ever fully get into all-remote work, so these visits are a welcome distraction and much needed energy boost.

A few days ago, I happened to visit, just in time for Madras Day. I missed the official (and unofficial) events because of work, but found time to take a few train and bus rides, walk around a bit and photograph.

I didn’t carry my Fuji X-T20 this time, but an iPhone paired with the Halide app shooting in ProRAW is a very good substitute.

I’ve always considered Egmore to be the prettier railway station. It is feels a lot less intimidating than Central, thus allowing one to walk more leisurely and take in more of the wonderful architecture.

Departing Velachery on the MRTS line. I wish I had good things to say about this line, but about the only charitable thing I can say is that it does its job, nothing more.

Things one notices when looking down.

These old cement benches still remain on the platform and retain the old name of the station. I’ve always wondered about the placement of these. Baking in the hot sun the whole day, with no shade or cover. I can’t imagine even trying to rest on them at 3pm!


One evening, we went to dinner at the fabulous Taj Connemara, a hotel that’s been around in some shape or form since the early 1800s.

Followed by a nice long walk around Mount Road and its iconic sights.


A few more postcards in random order.


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