Madras Day 2023: Date, Theme, History, Significance, Celebration

Every year August 22 is observed as Madras Day to commemorate the founding of Madras city in Tamil Nadu on the same day in 1639. Madras Day 2023 marks the 384th anniversary of establishment of the city. Celebration of the day began in 2004 by the efforts of Chennai-based journalist Vincent D’Souza to historian S. Muthiah. 22nd August 2023 will be the 20th anniversary of Madras Day celebrations.

Madras Day 2023 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for Madras Day for the next 5 years.

Madras Day 2023 Quick Overview

Interesting Facts about the city of Madras

Here are some lesser-known amazing facts about the city of Madras or Chennai as you know it:

1. Chennai is the only city in South Asia and India to figure in the “52 places to go around the world” by The New York Times.
2. Many prominent personalities such as Vishwanathan Anand, Dinesh Karthik, Murali Vijay, Karun Chandok, Kamal Haasan, AR Rahman & CV Raman are born in Chennai.
3. Marina Beach situated in Chennai is the second longest beach of the world.
4. The East India Company made Fort St. George in Chennai the first major English settlement in India.
5. The oldest municipal corporation in India is located Chennai. It was inaugurated in the year 1688 and is still operating.
6. Madras was the only Indian city to be attacked during World War I. German forces were the one who made the attack.
7. Royapuram railway station located in Chennai is the oldest railway station still functional in India. The railway station began its operations in the year 1856.
8. The Madras High Court building is the second biggest judicial structure in world.

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Madras Day Significance

Madras Day marks the formation of madras city when it was purchased by the East India Company from the viceroy of the Vijayanagar Empire. The day simply offers a platform to celebrate the establishment of the beautiful city of Madras, now Chennai, and its varied heritage.

According to the Madras Day founders, the “primary motive of celebrating ‘Madras Day’ is to focus on the city, its past and its present.” With the growing enthusiasm for celebration of Madras Day, demands to rename Madras Day to Madras Week, or even Madras Month have also been circulated.

History of Madras Day

The idea to celebrate Madras Day came to the journalists Shashi Nair and Vincent D’Souza and historian S. Muthiah in 2004 while attending the trustees’ meeting of the Chennai Heritage foundation. The idea was based on the celebration of Mylapore Festival organized by Vincent D’Souza every year in January. The festival is a wide success with people celebrating the essence of their origin and culture.

Therefore, it was decided that in a similar manner, Madras Day will be observed on August 22 to celebrate the origin, culture and heritage of the Chennai city. The first Madras Day was celebrated in 2004 and has been celebrated every year since then. The celebration initially started off with about five events in 2004 but grew gradually to over 60 events in 2007. Every year, the celebrations are becoming splendid than ever with people demanding celebration of Madras Week and Madras Month.

Details of World Environment Day

Celebration of Madras Day

Celebration of Madras Day focus on the past and present of the city and everyone from communities to groups, companies and individuals are encouraged to take active participation in the festivities. Many events including public talks, heritage walks, exhibitions, public performances, poetry reading sessions, food festivals and special programs are organized on the occasion of Madras Day. Apart from this, tree walks, field trips, photographic competitions, T-shirt designing contest, documentary film contest, multimedia presentation, quizzes, etc are also organized by various societies.

Individuals or groups of individuals also organize similar events with their circle of friends and families. Many lectures, discussions and conferences are held explaining the heritage and history of the city. The day even has its own website www.themadrasday.in where people share their views on the history and celebration of the glorious day. There is also a tradition of selling one unique design T-shirt, by Mylapore Times every year during Madras Week that is selected through open competition.

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