Old Order Changeth Yielding Place to New (Chennai)
BY Vengrai Parthasarathy
Madras ! The laid-back city of ancient traditions, orthodox people, old-world courtesies. Well, it is not there, not any more.
The Cooum is there but potable water is not flowing in it. But, metaphorically speaking, much water has flown under the bridge, in the past decade. It used to be said that good, old Madras was slow in catching up with the modern cities like Bombay and New Delhi . It was a haven for those who savoured its old worldliness. The march of time has had its effect on this once sleepy city known for its cultural richness and religious fervour. One trip to a bar or disco will reveal the extent to which things have progressed or regressed. Girls in Denims and tops, some in Salwar-khameez smoking away and sharing a ‘gin and lime’ or a shot of Scotch with friends, does not shock anyone any more. Young men and women dance away their time. The IT revolution and relaxation of Import restrictions are two immediate factors. Money, literally flows
. The IT gentry are now a new class of citizens. Most of them work for firms with links to USA ; they work at nights to match the twelve hour difference in Standard time. And, after a day-time snooze, they are ready to conquer the world. Salaries have gone up astronomically and money in the hands of young men and women in their twenties is like an Aladdin’s lamp. Anything, anything at all, is theirs for the asking. A septuagenarian gent expressed shock at the ‘decadence’ as he put it. “ In my days, my parents used to give me one Rupee to cover bus charge and ‘tiffin’. Now one has to pay fiteen rupees or more for a brace of Idlis or samosas, and about two hundred Rupees for a Pizza’, he moans. (He hasn’t gone to the amma canteens, apparently) A movie ticket for the highest class used to be Three Rupees. Now it is.. well, forget it. Kanchesepuram saris are yielding place to Denims and sleeveless tops. Family values? What is that? Rents have gone up. Politically, Amma is everywhere.
Has all this had effect on morals? This is a touchy subject and the ‘old gent’ has no chance of even being heard. More likely, he will be certified a loon. There used to be a Tamil movie song which had the lines ‘kAsae dAAn kadavuladA’—which translates into ‘ Money it is, that is Almighty God”. Well, that line says a lot .Owning a car is no more the privilege of a rich few. With money jingling in the pockets of the young and auto firms competing to sell their products, the roads are seething with cars. And, life goes on at a swift, maddening pace. Civil constructions are taking place apace everywhere with even specialized labour from the North cities.. Rents have shot up. A hundred rupee note can take one nowhere; if that is what one takes to a vegetable vendor he/she will come back with a measly quantity of one or two vegetables.
Well, there is a brighter side to all this. How, one may ask. It is a sign of subeeksham or prosperity. From poverty to prosperity, it has been one big hop and jump, with no step in between.
Why cry? Go with the flow, man. Bye, Madras, Hello Chennai!!