Chennai's Shift from Heritage to High-Rises Reshapes Generational Memories

Chennai, formerly Madras, has undergone a visible transformation, as recounted in a recent feature. The city, relatively flat during its early development, now features tall buildings and skyscrapers in certain areas. Old structures are torn down for new high-rises, beloved theatre screens close, garden houses become apartments, and corner shops are replaced by malls and multiplexes.

The piece frames these changes with the nostalgic opening, "Andha kalathula ellam..." ("In those days..."), noting that cities grow just as people do. It says every goodbye is followed by a hello, reflecting how the physical landscape shifts and, in turn, changes the memories that different generations carry of home.

One specific memory shared involves 1962, when the author would cycle from the quiet residential area of Teynampet to Mambalam station to board a train to Ambattur for work. The article suggests that, swept up in the business of being a metro, Chennai grew both wide and tall, and in doing so transformed the urban experience across generations.