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 Abutting the Bay of
Bengal, Chennai has one of the loveliest beaches. The 4.5 km long
beach is the second longest beach in the world. A stroll along the
Marina, whether in the morning or evening, refreshes one.The
old Saracenic buildings dotting the other side of Kamarajar Salai, a
main road along the Marina, would bring back memories of good old
British Raj. The Senate House of the University of Madras and the
old buildings now housing government offices, such as Ezhilagam and
the Director General of Police office. They wear a mystical look in
the morning when the Sun rises.
A walkway along the
beach bordered with a green lawn entices you to go on a leisurely
stroll. At the intersections of this promenade stand beautiful
statues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities. Of
these, the Statue of Labour is a splendid sculpture depicting the
efforts of a team of labourers who are at strenuous, manual work.
The sea in this part is not recommended for swimming, as the
currents are violent.
Statues on the Beach:
 Mahatma
Gandhi: Father of the nation who spear headed the freedom
struggle in the non-violent mode. Subash Chandra Bose, the Lion of
Bengal, who led (Indian National Army) against the British. He is
believed to be dead in an air crash. His death still remains a
mystery.
Sir Thomas Munro:
Former Governor of erstwhile Madras presidency. He was known for his
humanism and sense of justice. He persuaded the then colonial
administratators to induct native Indians into regular
administrative machinery. His statue has been erected at the middle
Anna Salai close to Gymkhana club. The elegant equestrian statue
compels attention.
Tilak Bhavan:
Mahatma Gandhi spent the historic night of March18, 1919, when the
sad news of passing of the Rowlatt Act reached him. Before the day
dawned, the idea of a nation wide strike dawned on him. This later
blossomed into |
Satyagraha. Referring
to this Gandhiji writes: 'I was still in that twilight condition
between sleep and consciousness when suddenly the idea broke upon me
it was as if in a dream - that we should call upon the country to
observe a general hartal - the whole of India from one end to the
other, towns as well as villages observed a complete hartal on that
day. It was a most wonderful spectacle.'
 Tiruvalluvar:
Was born in 30 B.C. He authored the world renowned Tirukkural
couplets that shines the torch of right living for the mankind as a
whole. Tirukkural has been translated into 60 languages world wide.
He lived in Mylapore, Chennai.
Bharathidasan:
Kankasuppurathinam was his real name. As an ardent disciple of poet
laureate Bharathi, he named himself as his slave. He celebrated the
Dravidian movement, and he composed many poems highlighting the
plight of the poor and decrying capitalism.
Kamarajar: The
late chief minister of Tamil Nadu, made a revolution in education by
offering free education for all the poor up to secondary school
level. His period is said to be the golden period of Tamil Nadu
state.
 Avvaiyar:
A great woman poet of Sangam period in Tamil, she wrote a number
of poems of beauty and learning.
Swami Sivananda:
Medical practitioner turned Saint, founded Divine life Society.
Thanthai Periyar:
Thanthai means father. He is the fore most leader of the Dravidian
movement in Tamil Nadu. He practised and propogated atheism and
fought against superstitions.
Kannagi: The much
worshipped heroine of 'Silappathikaaram', an epic in Tamil.
D. Vidhya
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