Recreation in Chennai

Something for all Tastes

Chennai, the Gateway to South India, is known for its high levels of cultural advancement, architecture, and food.  In addition, the city is home to a rich legacy of classical music and ancient dance forms.  The temple traditions of vibrant dance and music recitals are alive and thriving even in modern day Chennai.  The city’s pulsating cultural scene is liberally sprinkled with daily music and dance concerts, Tamil and English language theater, rock shows, and literary reading sessions.  For those who’d like to imbibe some authentic South Indian flavor, Chennai definitely won’t disappoint.  

A Dose of Culture

The Madras Music and Dance Season, an unparalleled cultural extravaganza, kicks off in the latter half of December, and goes on till early January.  The Season, which was established in 1927, schedules nearly 25 major cultural festivals and countless smaller events, dance shows, theatrical performances, cultural seminars, and lectures.  Not only is this the most pleasant time to visit Chennai climate-wise, but it’s also the most culturally uplifting period in the city’s social calendar.  

The dance festival in Mamallapuram is also a once in a lifetime experience.  The best and most renowned exponents of the classical Indian Bharatnatyam dance form and other schools perform in a 13^th century open-air theatre carved out of rock.  The setting is sublime with its seaside surroundings and monolithic rock sculptures from the Pallava age.  

Sports Events

Every year, Chennai hosts the ATP Chennai Open which attracts some of the biggest names in tennis.  On Sunday mornings the sleepy village of Mamallapuram comes alive with the roar of motorbikes when the MRF National Motocross Championships are held.  The city also hosts several cricket matches as well as an annual horse racing championship. 

Valluvar Kottam

For some off-the-beaten-track sightseeing, head to Valluvar Kottam on the corner of Kodambakkam High Road.  This building honors the acclaimed Tamil poet Thiruialluvar whose classic work, Kural, is close to 2000 years old.  Vallur Kottam replicates ancient Tamil architecture with 1330 verses from the Kural inscribed on panels.