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Speed up sewer work and relay dug-up roads, say Uthandi residents
People say the delayed sewerage project has hindered road repairs; they also flag increase in commercial encroachments such as eateries and unregulated parking of vehicles in the area
Man sentenced to life-imprisonment for murder of his father over property dispute in Rajamangalam
George Bush was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of 5,000
At Avadi, employment dreams find fresh ground
2 killed, 3 injured in multiple collision involving stray cattle
How to live safe in a world of online scams
Red-billed tropicbirds show up on Chennai coast
During her visit to Chennai, Bangalore resident Anu Parthasarathy documents the sighting of the seabird at the Broken Bridge in Adyar Estuary on December 14; and on December 20, another birder Sundaravel Palanivel sighted a Red-billed tropicbird around the same patch
Two from defunct firm sentenced to five-year imprisonment for cheating investors
17-year-old girl dies after being hit by train
Six Madras Medical College students suspended for ragging junior student
Over half of elector deletions in T.N. concentrated in eight districts in two clusters
Even though the Chennai and Tiruppur clusters saw the highest removals, the impact on their share of Tamil Nadus total elector base was relatively limited
Chennai police rescue abducted businessman in A.P.
Writer Imayams new book Dhandakaaranyathil Seethai released in Chennai
City hospital places leadless pacemaker on senior citizen
CB-CID police organises national level cyber hackathon
Jipmers HTA bags silver award at 2025 HTA conclave
Man gets 20 yrs RI for sexually assaulting 13-yr-old girl with intellectual disability
DMK pushing TN to unprecedented debt trap: Anbumani
Ramanathapuram AIADMK functionaries removed from primary membership
BJP stoking deepam issue for polls: Sekarbabu
23% of all patents filed in India in 2024-25 were from Tamil Nadu
Ahead of 26 election, state govt fast-tracks Kanavu Illam scheme
TNWDC to hold food festival from Dec 21 to 24
Businessman kidnapped over unpaid loan
Man smuggles hydroponic ganja, held at city airport
Class 12 student dies by suicide
City AQI deteriorates as haze lingers, pollution rises
Actor Sivakarthikeyan's car meets with minor accident inChennai
Actor Sivakarthikeyan's car meets with minor accident inChennai
Chennai Corporation to repair speed breakers, install caution boards
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South) P. Vijayakumar said that some speed breakers installed earlier as a piecemeal measure to address local complaints will have to be modified to comply with Indian Roads Congress rules
Garbage dumping turns Gandhi Nagar Extensioninto a health hazard
Despite outsourcing of waste collection, open dumping persists inChromepet
CM Stalin to inaugurate Chennai Book Fair 2026 on Jan. 8
Four injured in LPG cylinder explosion near Ponneri
CSK react as Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube seal spots in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Chennai Super Kings react after Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube are named in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The franchise's response highlights pride, validation of IPL form, and the duo's journey from league success to the global stage.
Stella Maris College launches student support network
T.N. police warn public about new cyber scam involving USSD codes
Criminals impersonate courier or delivery service agents to fraudulently access citizens bank accounts and social media profiles
Sreenivasan's 'Sandesam': I have lost hope that satires will improve politicians
Sreenivasan - the name evokes laughter and contemplation at the same time. The multifaceted actor, screenwriter and director is no longer with us. But he has left behind his works for us to remember him forever. He was a complex character, unlike many of his movies. On April 2023, he sat with team TNIE for an interview. Excerpts from the interview is reproduced below. Your films, for example Sandesham , lampoon politicians of all parties. Are all politicians to be made fun of? Isnt that wrong? Can you point out one good politician? How about our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru? Good that you mentioned his name Nehru scuttled the chances of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel becoming the PM though the latter had more votes. Political cheating started there. How about Achutha Menon? He was good. V S Achuthanandan? He was better. Oommen Chandy? I still like him. Narendra Modi? Its too early to say(chuckles) Modi is into his second term as PM. So you have had enough time to assess him... Havent you heard of the Modi-Adani nexus? Will any political party oppose Adani? Which political party hasnt received money from Adani? Political satires like Sandesham are not made these days What could be the reason? Now politics has gone beyond all theseI have lost hope that satires will improve politicians. Dialogues of Sandesham are still very popular. Had you expected this kind of success then? Not at all... We just wanted to do a political satire. In fact, we had sat on that script for many years and we decided to do it after Lohithadas insisted. How did the idea of Sandesham come to you? That came from my own life (chuckles) My brother was a hardcore communist. When I joined ABVP, I started criticising CPM. Our fights became a regular thing at home. Whatever you saw in the film has happened in my home. You enjoyed a good equation with CM Pinarayi Vijayan once. But you are a staunch critic now I first met him while travelling in a train. Someone approached me and asked whether I was free. When I said yes, he told me that Pinarayi Vijayan is in the next compartment and wanted to come over to meet me. He was an MLA then. I told him that I will go to his compartment. When I met him, he talked about my father with lots of warmth. I became emotional. That warmth connected us for some time. Then what happened? I realised that all politicians are the same That power corrupts everyone. Coming back to the cinema, when did you decide to enter the film industry? Actually, cinema was never in my scheme of things. I always wanted to do theatre. I wanted to join the National School of Drama. But I could not. Then I saw an ad of a film institute in Chennai. I decided to give it a try as it also involves acting. Actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Sreenivasan who made Keralites laugh and reflect passes away How was the experience there? Ramu Kariat was on the interview panel. The moment he saw me during the interview, he laughed out loud. I understood the meaning of that laugh. He must have laughed thinking how someone who looks like me can even think of acting in films (laughs). Then? He tried his best to dissuade me saying the film world will be very tough for a person like me. But when they realised my passion for theatre, they somehow selected me. Years later, I received the Ramu Kariat memorial award for my film Chinthavishtayaya Syamala . Then also Ramu Kariat must have laughed looking at me from above (chuckles). Do you believe in fate? Regardless of whether I believe it or not, things will happen as per fate. I am not a man of God. You are not a believer? No God worthy of being believed has not appeared before me. (Laughs out) Actor Rajinikanth was your senior at the institute He was my super senior. I have seen his struggle and his spectacular rise. You have acted in the films of many masters. How was that experience? G Aravindan is someone I respect the most. He was a rare human being. so down to earth. So was K G George. How has your appearance played a role in your acting career? My deprived look has helped me in getting roles, initially (laughs out). It means you will get chances in movies even if you look horrible (laughs again). Many out there are waiting for your new movie I am also waiting (chuckles) Rajinikanth got a chance in films because of Kamal Haasan: Actor Sreenivasan
Residents flag garbage dumping, sewage threat near Red Hills reservoir
Residents of Surapet have raised concerns about unchecked solid waste dumping along the lake, particularly near the Surapet water treatment plant maintained by the Chennai Metrowater
Jaya Hind Industries to ramp up production at Tamil Nadu plant
Jaya Hind Industries is expanding its Chennai manufacturing facility. The company is investing Rs 200 crore to set up advanced High Pressure Die Casting machines. This expansion will boost production capacity for internal combustion engine and electric vehicle components. The integrated unit will enhance the company's ability to deliver complex aluminium solutions. The facility will support a growing customer base.
Fire breaks out at BSNL office on Anna Salai in Chennai
Due to the fire, thick black smoke engulfed parts of the Anna Salai area, causing inconvenience to motorists
SIR: 1 lakh voters deleted from Stalins Kolathur seat in draft electoral roll
Chennai: More than 1,03,812 voters have been removed from Chief Minister M.K. Stalins Kolathur constituency, marking one of the biggest single reductions in the state-wide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Tamil Nadu. The draft voter list released following the revision exercise indicates a sweeping purge of invalid, duplicated or outdated entries, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tamil Nadu: 13 injured as bus crashes into median in Tindivanam
Actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Sreenivasan who made Keralites laugh and reflect passes away
KOCHI: Veteran Malayalam actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Sreenivasan passed away on Saturday at the Tripunithura Taluk Hospital in Kochi. He was 69. Suffering from prolonged health issues, Sreenivasan was being taken to Amrita Hospital for dialysis when his condition deteriorated on the way. He was rushed to the Tripunithura hospital, where he breathed his last. Sreenivasans death marks the end of an era in Malayalam cinema. Over a career spanning nearly 48 years, he emerged as one of the most influential creative voices in the industry, shaping popular cinema through sharp satire, humane storytelling, and socially rooted humour. He acted in more than 200 films and wrote screenplays for several landmark works that continue to define Malayalam cinemas golden years. Born on April 6, 1956, in Patyam near Thalassery in Kannur district, Sreenivasan grew up in a modest household. His father was a schoolteacher, and his mother was a homemaker. After completing his schooling in Kuthuparamba and Kadirur, he graduated in economics from PRNSS College, Mattanur, before pursuing formal film education at the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. He made his acting debut in Manimuzhakkam (1976), directed by P A Backer, and went on to play his first lead role in Sanghaganam (1979). However, it was as a writer that he truly left his mark. His first screenplay, Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984), announced a new voice in Malayalam cinemairreverent, observant, and unapologetically critical of social hypocrisy. EXPRESS DIALOGUES | Todays politics has gone beyond satire:Sreenivasan The mid-1980s to early 1990s saw Sreenivasan at the peak of his creative powers. Films such as Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, Varavelpu, and, most notably, Nadodikkattu , transformed everyday middle-class anxieties into enduring cinematic narratives. Nadodikkattu and its sequels became cult classics, with dialogues and characters entering popular culture and remaining relevant decades later. Sreenivasan frequently collaborated with leading directors such as Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikad and Kamal, forming a creative axis that defined mainstream Malayalam cinema. His writing blended humour with political and social critique, most powerfully seen in Sandesam (1991), a biting satire on political opportunism that earned him a Kerala State Film Award. As a director, Sreenivasan proved equally accomplished. Vadakkunokkiyanthram , which he scripted and directed, explored male insecurity and patriarchal attitudes with rare sensitivity and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. Nearly a decade later, Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998) addressed marital alienation and emotional conflict, winning the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. In later years, Sreenivasan remained a significant presence, adapting to changing times without losing his edge. Films such as Udayananu Tharam , Katha Parayumpol and Njan Prakashan reaffirmed his relevance. Njan Prakashan went on to become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, introducing his brand of social satire to a new generation of viewers. His contributions were recognised with numerous honours, including a National Film Award, multiple Kerala State Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South, Asianet Film Awards and lifetime achievement honours from film bodies and cultural organisations. As an actor, Sreenivasan was known for his understated performances, often portraying the flawed common man with authenticity and restraint. His screen presence complemented his writing, lending credibility and emotional depth to characters rooted in everyday life. Sreenivasan is survived by his sons Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan, both established figures in the Malayalam film industry. With his passing, Malayalam cinema loses not just a prolific artist but a conscience keeperone who consistently used humour and storytelling to question society, politics and human relationships.
An initiative for Chennai schools to give children specially designed helmets
Chennai-based non-profit Road Guru Trust is completing an exercise of distributing 15,000 helmets provided by an insurance company to students and their parents in the city
Tamil Nadu voter rolls revised: 97.37 lakh names deleted, political parties raise concerns
Tamil Nadu's electoral rolls saw a massive purge of 97.37 lakh voters, reducing the electorate by 15.9%. Urban areas, especially Chennai, experienced the highest deletions. Deceased voters and those permanently shifted formed the bulk of removals. Eligible citizens and parties can now file claims and objections until January 18.
Couple among four injured in LPG blast in Chennai
CHENNAI: Four persons, including a couple, sustained injuries in an LPG cylinder explosion in Upparapalayam near Ponneri on Friday, causing a house to collapse. The condition of the couple is said to be critical. The two others who sustained injuries are their neighbours. The police said the injured include Mani and his wife Devi, daily-wage labourers living in the house where the blast occurred. Devi, who works at a tailoring shop, was cooking when gas leaked from the cylinder, triggering an explosion. Devi sustained about 80% burn injuries, while Mani suffered around 40% burns. Both were rescued by neighbours and taken to the Ponneri Government Hospital, from where they were referred to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai. The intensity of the blast caused the house to collapse and damaged nearby structures, shattering window panes in adjoining houses. Debris from the explosion caused injuries to Anita and her son Yashwanth, living next door. Both suffered facial injuries and were treated at a hospital.
CMRL awards Rs 436-crore contracts for transit-oriented development
CHENNAI: Chennai Metro Rail Limited is pressing ahead with its push to monetise real estate at stations and improve last-mile connectivity along the citys IT corridor, awarding contracts worth nearly Rs 436 crore for integrated transit-oriented developments at Sholinganallur, Thoraipakkam and Mandavelli bus depot. CMRL has awarded a Rs 268.8-crore contract for the design and construction of integrated entry and exit structures with commercial space at Sholinganallur and Thoraipakkam, two key stations on the fast-growing Old Mahabalipuram Road stretch. The project combines station access infrastructure with revenue-generating property assets, spanning civil works, architectural finishes and allied activities. At Thoraipakkam, the plan envisages a commercial building comprising three basement levels, a ground floor and five upper floors. Sholinganallur will see a larger ground-plus-eight-floor commercial complex. A defining feature of the Sholinganallur development is that the link line connecting Corridor-3 and Corridor-5 will pass through the commercial building itself, allowing commuters to access the metro from within the development. CMRL said the integrated design would enable seamless movement between commercial facilities and the metro, while embedding higher-density development around stations in line with TOD principles.
Two brothers arrested for using snake to kill father for Rs 3 crore insurance money in Chennai
CHENNAI: A case of suspected snake bite has turned into a murder following an investigation into the death of 56-year-old EP Ganesan at Pothaturpettai village in Tiruvallur district on October 22. The police have arrested two sons of the deceased and four others for deliberately releasing an Indian krait to bite the man in order to claim insurance amount, the police said. According to police, the deceased, Ganesan, was a lab assistant at a government girls higher secondary school in Podaturpet. On October 22, he was found dead at his house after what appeared to be a snake bite. Based on a complaint from his son Mohanraj (26), the police initially registered a case of accidental death. The case took a turn after an insurance company flagged irregularities in the claims submitted by the family and raised concerns over the conduct of the deceaseds sons, the police said. Subsequent investigation revealed the family had availed multiple loans and took high-value insurance policies amounting to Rs 3 crore, which police sources said were disproportionate to their known sources of income. Investigators found Mohanraj and his brother Hariharan (27), employed at a private firm, allegedly conspired to murder their father to claim the insurance proceeds. The police said the brothers roped in the help of Balaji (28), Prashanth (35), Dinakaran (43) and Naveenkumar (27), all from Manavur village near Tiruttani, to stage the crime as an accident. An earlier attempt using a cobra about a week prior had failed, they said. On the day of the incident, another snake was brought to the house and made to bite Ganesan on the neck in the early hours. The snake was later killed inside the house, and there was a delay in shifting the victim to hospital, the police said. Analysis of call records and financial transactions, including suspicious transfers, helped establish the conspiracy. All six suspects have been arrested, and further investigation is under way.
Chennai loses over one-third of voters in draft SIR electoral rolls
CHENNAI: Five of the 16 Assembly constituencies in Chennai have witnessed a drop of 40% of names each, in the draft electoral rolls of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) released on Friday. Chennai, as a whole saw a drop of 35.58% of voters, which is more than one-third of the electors when compared to the 2025 rolls. The Anna Nagar Assembly constituency has the most number of deletions with 42.18% fewer names in the draft roll when compared to the figures before SIR. Among them, while 639 are duplicate entries, and 8,819 are deceased voters, nearly 1.08 lakh are permanently shifted residents. The absent/untraceable voters were only one. Speaking to TNIE , the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the Anna Nagar constituency said while the constituency is often considered a VIP area and houses government officials, including IAS and IPS officers, many of them do not reside there permanently, leading to the number of voters being dropped under the shifted category. The official further noted areas such as Shanthi Colony have now transformed from residential areas into commercial hubs. We expect at least 25,000 new voters in the constituency, including those who have recently turned 18-years-old and residents who have newly shifted here, he added. Apart from Anna Nagar, Villivakkam (40.7%), Thousand Lights (40.7%), T Nagar (40.8%) and Velachery also have over 40% deletions under categories such as absent, shifted and dead. Virugambakkam, Harbour and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalins Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituencies also have a large number of deletions- 38.8%, 38.7% and 37.2% respectively. According to official data, Chennai had 40,04,694 voters including 19,62,245 men and 20,41,144 women as of October 27, before the SIR. This has now reduced to 25,79,676, with 14,25,018 voters dropped. The deletions include 1,56,555 deaths, 27,328 untraceable or absent voters, 18,772 duplicate entries, and 12,22,164 permanently shifted voters. There were 199 individuals under the other category who had failed to return the filled forms. In addition, 2,37,619 voters have been placed under the unmapped category, which refers to those whose names or whose parental details could not be mapped with rolls prepared after 2002 or 2005. District Election Officer and Corporation Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said summons would be issued to individuals under the unmapped category. He, however, said that the mode of issuance of summons is yet to be finalised. These voters must submit one of 13 documents prescribed by the Election Commission of India between December 20 and January 18 to retain names. The Harbour constituency also has the minimum number of voters at 1,10,517, while Perambur has the maximum at 2,00,181. Kumaragurubaran said that special camps will be held on December 20 and 21 from 10 am to 6 pm for submission of Forms 6, 7, and 8.
Migration, commercialisation cited as reasons for mass voter deletions in Chennai draft rolls
CHENNAI: The officials have cited migration and residential areas turning commercial as the reasons for the missing of lakhs of voters from the draft list . A booth-level agent told TNIE , While a majority of residents in North Chennai own their homes and continue to live in the same locality, many areas in southern and central Chennai are often the first choice for newcomers to the city who later become permanent residents. In Villivakkam, deletions include 8,073 deceased voters, 849 duplicate entries, and 82,350 permanently shifted residents. While Kolathur saw the highest number of untraceable or absent voters at 8,812, Villivakkam has 6,474 of such cases. An election official at Villivakkam said the demolition of Railway Protection Force (RPF) quarters in the area had also impacted the draft rolls. Most residents have moved out. Moreover, parts of Mogappair have transformed from residential to commercial area, she said. On untraceable voters, the official said many houses in a Villivakkam area were demolished and residents reportedly relocated to Thailavaram. In Thiyagaraya Nagar constituency, voter numbers dropped from 2,35,497 to 1,39,498, a 40.76% reduction. This included 9,346 deceased voters, 39 untraceable or absent, 85,705 permanently shifted, and 259 duplicate entries. The ERO here declined to comment on the reasons for the drop in names. In Thousand Lights constituency which recorded a 40.68% reduction, Karunanidhi, CPI District Secretary and a recognised Block Level Agent (BLA), attributed the numbers to the difficulty of verifying voters in high-rise buildings and tenements. Meanwhile, the ERO of Sholinganallur noted a significant number of voters had shifted to Perumbakkam, a major resettlement area which contributed to the fluctuations in the draft roll. Velachery also witnessed a 40.16% variation. SK Siva, CPI(M) South Chennai district secretary, told TNIE many daily wage workers were left out because BLOs did not collect forms properly.
Digital divide leaves Chennais marginalised voters unaware of draft electoral roll
CHENNAI: Though the Election Commission of India (ECI) released the draft electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on Friday, a reality check by TNIE showed a section of voters, from the marginalised communities and senior citizens, in the city is unaware of the publication of the draft roll. Many others of how to verify if their names on the list. Despite the ECIs aggressive push for digital verification via websites and apps, visits to areas like Chetpet, Pudupet, and Sholinganallur showed the digital divide and a lack of awareness are forcing residents ranging from daily-wagers to senior citizens to depend entirely on political party cadres or corporation officials to ensure they retain their votes. S Usha (67), a resident of Vengaivasal in Sholinganallur constituency, owns an Android smartphone but said she did not know how to navigate the digital portal. I am not aware of how to check my name in the draft roll. I have to call my Booth Level Officer (BLO) to find out. I am not sure if he will do it for me immediately, but people like me have no choice but to depend on others for such information, she said. The lack of awareness isnt limited to the elderly. R Yuvaraj (23), an auto driver in the Chetpet area, is tech-savvy but admitted he was unaware that the SIR exercise was under way in the state. I dont know how to check the draft roll or how to include my name if it had been left out, he said. S Anjugam (55) and M Janaki (58), sisters living in the Pudupet housing board colony, rely on button phones, effectively locking them out of the digital verification process. We have never missed voting in all these years, but we dont know how to check if our names are there this time. We dont have the provision to access the internet. We will have to ask the corporation officers or local party members, said Janaki, who sells baby dresses on the pavement near the Government Hospital for Women and Children in Egmore. Anjugam, who sells toys alongside, added that her sons, who work as daily wagers, were also unaware of the digital process. D Sundari (48), who runs a bajji shop in Chetpets Brindavanam Street, echoed this sentiment. Ive heard of the SIR but did not know that this list (draft roll) was released. My children are educated, if I ask them, they might tell me if my name is on it, she said. Speaking to TNIE, Arappor Iyakkam Convenor Jayaram Venkatesan, who has been actively campaigning on electoral issues, emphasised the need for better outreach during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). To spread awareness among marginalised communities, the government must display the SIR rolls in panchayat offices and make public announcements similar to how they advertise Grama Sabha meetings, Jayaram said. He further added for urban and semi-urban areas, the election commission should conduct intensive booth-level camps to ensure no genuine voter is left out. C Paul Barnabas, state president of the Tamil Nadu Consumers Protection Organization (TNCPO), urged the election commission to adopt direct communication methods.
A chilling murder plot unfolded in Tiruvallur district where two sons allegedly orchestrated their father's death by snakebite to claim 3 crore in insurance. Initially ruled accidental, the investigation revealed a staged second bite by a krait after a previous cobra incident. Six individuals, including the sons, have been arrested.
The under-reported link between diet and gut
Young women often present symptoms of piles, also known as haemorrhoids. And yet, many are surprised to know that this condition is closely tied to their everyday habits. Piles are swollen veins in the anus region or also known as the rectum. It causes intense itching, pain, and bleeding. Piles is common across all age groups, and this can also be due to hormonal influences along with lifestyle and diet. In women, one of most underrated causes is low fiber diet. Eating habits has changed with time; modern eating habits emphasise eating refine and processed food, such as white bread, junk along with neglecting the intake of fruits and vegetables. This imbalance in diet brings across chronic constipation, which forces individuals to strain during their bowel movements. This strain causes an increase in the rectal veins, while eventually progressing into piles. Constipation is often aggravated by factors such as sedentary lifestyles, and severe dehydration. Delay in seeking medical advice as various assumptions portray piles to be rare in the age group of 20-30. When in fact, diet related constipation is what make it vulnerable. Symptoms to watch for: Aching pain during bowel movements Irritation around the anus region Bleeding after passing stool Constant feeling of incomplete evacuation Recognising these signs early on is important, since it worsen the condition. This can at times, lead to surgical intervention. Diet and lifestyle first The good news is that piles can often be prevented and managed through simple, consistent changes: Increasing intake of fiber to 25-30 grams foods like papaya, apple, banana, legumes, and whole grains will help in prevention. Drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily to soften stools. Limit refined flour, fried snacks, and sugary items that worsen constipation. Physical activity stimulates bowel movements and reduces venous pressure. Establish healthy toilet habits: Avoid prolonged sitting on the toilet and respond promptly to the urge to defecate. Lifestyle changes alone will not help in addressing the problem. Ointments, stool softeners, and minimally invasive procedures are recommended for piles. But, the impact lies in dietary restrictions and correction in the intake of food for both prevention and recovery. Piles in young women are not just a medical issue, but a lifestyle-related condition that deserves more awareness. By acknowledging the link between low-fiber diets and constipation, women can take proactive steps to protect their digestive health. Prevention is always better than cure, and with small but consistent changes in diet and lifestyle, the discomfort of piles can be avoided altogether. (The writer, Dr NA Rajesh, is a lead consultant, Medical Gastroenterology, SRM Global Hospitals)
GCC to spend 1 cr. per zone on road repair works
Long before textbooks and translations existed, knowledge travelled through word-of-mouth, tunes and rhythm. On Wednesday, Chinmaya Mission Chennai returned to that timeless method by releasing the 18 Ragas audio rendition of the Bhagavad Gita in Tamil, one of the initiatives marking 75 years of the Chinmaya Movement. The release is the musical extension of the Tamil versification of the Bhagavad Gita , which was unveiled in July this year by prime minister Narendra Modi. Set across 18 ragas , like Kalyani, Sahana, and Sindhubhairavi, the composition draws from the 18 chapters of the Gita , using music as a tool to aid memory and understanding. Held at the Chinmaya Heritage Centre, Chetpet, BJP leader K Annamalai was the events chief guest. The event was also graced by members of Chinmaya Mission including OV Nambiar, president of Chinmaya Mission, Swami Sureshananda and Swami Mitrananda. Explaining the thought behind the project, Swami Sureshananda said the mission wanted to move beyond linguistic barriers, pointing out that a Tamil rendition, especially in musical form, makes the Gita easier to grasp for the larger public. In his address, Annamalai spoke at length about the enduring relevance of the Bhagavad Gita in resolving moral and ethical dilemmas in contemporary life. Drawing from physicist Robert Oppenheimers engagement with the text during the development of the atomic bomb, he highlighted how the Gita offered clarity on duty, action and responsibility, even in moments of profound inner conflict. As a scientist, what I am doing is my karma, Annamalai said, referring to Oppenheimers reflection on performing ones duty without attachment to outcomes. Emphasising the importance of accessibility, he said presenting the Bhagavad Gita in Tamil allows deeper engagement beyond academic or religious circles. Concurring with Sureshananda, he said that the musical form further strengthens its ability to connect with a wider audience and remain relevant across generations. Placing the release within a broader spiritual legacy, Swami Mitrananda recalled Swami Chinmayanandas lifelong dedication to the Bhagavad Gita , noting that the founder of the Chinmaya Movement devoted over four decades to disseminating its teachings. He added that making the Gita accessible in different forms was in keeping with the Missions guiding principle of reaching people where they are. Emphasising on inner transformation, The distance between us and the divine is our selfishness, he said, urging individuals to look inward rather than viewing spirituality as an abstract concept. The programme also featured musical renditions and recitations from the Tamil Bhagavad Gita , offering the audience a glimpse into how, across carefully chosen ragas, the verses retained the gravity of the original text while making it accessible to contemporary listeners.
Even before the crack of dawn, Chennaiites wake up to the musical notes of birds, the winter wind so chilly that it demands a woolen armour to brave the streets that stir to life as the day progresses. Men, women, and children gather to sweep their respective thresholds and sprinkle water as a ritual and then create pattern of curves, grids, dots, lines, and loops. This art form kolam holds a special significance during the Tamil month of Margazhi , which falls in December. Traditionally, kolam is believed to symbolise prosperity, good luck, and welcome goddess Lakshmi into homes. It is also said that kolam wards off evil energies and spirits. Kolams are practised differently in different parts of the country: Pookalam in Kerala, Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Alpana in West Bengal, Rangoli in Karnataka, and Sathiya in Gujarat. Mention of this practice in Tamil lit can be traced back to Sangam literature, dating from the third century BCE to third century CE. In this literature, the description of drawing kolam s exactly matches the visuals seen on the streets of Chennai today. This shows how age-old the practice of kolam is, shares historian Meenakshi Devaraj. The 15th verse of the second chapter, 518th verse overall, in revered poet and saint Andals Nachiyar Thirumozhi reads, Vellai nunmanal kondu sittril visiththirapada , which roughly translates to: using fine white sand, we carefully draw beautiful kolams on the streets. There are also literary sources that show men indulging in this exercise. A 12th century poem mentions a ghost, presumably male, making decorative patterns from pearl dust. According to Meenakshi, The practice of drawing kolam has evolved over centuries. This shows the dynamic nature of this custom. The other characteristics include constantly changing in terms of its designs and colours. Adding to the list, Meenakshi notes, It is therapeutic. It brought some healing in me. Sacred patterns on streets This ever-evolving art form finds its expression during Margazhi as this Tamil month brings with it positivity and happiness. Vardhani KL, a software analyst (@kolamveri on Instagram), shares, I always look forward to Margazhi . It is one of my favourite months because it is winter. When you wake up, you see how beautiful the climate is. It is also the season of bhajans and keerthans . And when you do the kolam , you hear them. She describes kolams as a habit of decorating our homes. It is an extension to the decoration we do inside. Vardhani urges that everyone should come forward and take up this habit and it shouldnt be restricted to a particular religion or region. Meenakshi echoes the same thoughts. Schools should recognise this practice and encourage kids to take it up. Kolam shouldnt be shrunk to a particular religion, and to women, she says. Usually there is a gender restriction that it should be done only by ladies in the family but the case is not like that for us because its just an art form. The main point here is that tradition should not be lost, says Jayashankar Sreenivasan (@mrsandmrkolam on Instagram). Jayashankar learnt this skill from his chithi (aunt) and his mother. He shares, Every morning, they put kolam on the threshold. Sitting there and watching them raised an interest in me. I thought this form should not be restricted only to the female community. Why should girls have all the fun? His family was supportive and encouraged him in building this talent and excelling. With respect to my wife, she has the leverage of doing it. Nobody is going to stop her, he remarked. His wife keeps the dots and he continues the kolam , he says, adding, We discuss what kind of designs to draw the next day. It brought a uniqueness in our collaborative creativity. Visual grammar In any pattern, keeping a symmetric dot is pivotal. If the dots are haywire, your design goes haywire, points out Jayashankar. The dots are then followed by designs and patterns. I bring geometry into my designs. Celtic designs are popular in foreign countries especially in Europe and the UK. Its looked upon as a symbol of oneness. Our temple carvings have celtic designs. We brought such kinds into our kolam designs, he shares. Once the intricate designs are outlined, it is then filled with colours, not every but a select few, each carrying a symbolic meaning. The popular kaavi (red) colour represents auspiciousness. When added with white, it brings in the value of Shiva and Shakti. The white is Shiva and the red is the Shakti, explains Jayashankar. Additionally, manjal (yellow) adds a devotional aspect to the kolam . To please the eyes, green and blue colours are included. Green is pasumai . Blue is water, neer . It is also associated with agayam, he says. Nowadays using grey and black has become a common practice. The 2025 Margazhi This Margazhi season, while Meenakshi will follow her tradition of showing the verses of Thiruppavai in her kolams , Varadhini is excited about her chikku kolams , Jayashankar and his wife are are working on a series of new designs, something on aspects of Andal Pasurams . We want to depict it in the chikku kolam and padi kolam . Ensuring we keep it traditional rather than trying something with the latest trend, he concludes.
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