Comments on: Green Public Space in Chennai

By: Sanjaya

Sanjaya — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 06:38:53 +0000

“No Dogs and Brahmins allowed”

By: Vivek

Vivek — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:21:38 +0000

...i have to say that the world would likely be a better place if more buildings were taken down and planted with gardens, instead of the all too common high rise.

Agreed!

By: Vivek

Vivek — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:20:18 +0000

The Poonga is located on Cathedral Road, just south of the Anna Flyover/Gemini Circle.

By: Deepa Natarajan

Deepa Natarajan — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:27:09 +0000

i recently visited the park and was pleasantly surprised by the plantings and lushness and moreover the amount of people who were there, simply enjoying being outside and walking around. there was a little too much grass that people weren't allowed to sit on, and not too diverse of a plant selection, but i was impressed with the vertical garden and there are lots of seedlings that i hope will be cared for. the trees on site are quite amazing.

though that drive-in woodlands was quite an establishment, i have to say that the world would likely be a better place if more buildings were taken down and planted with gardens, instead of the all too common high rise.

By: delurker

delurker — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:53:37 +0000

In which part of Chennai is this park? Thanks.

By: Vivek

Vivek — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:40:51 +0000

http://www.tamildict.com/

By: Vivek

Vivek — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:39:49 +0000

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the entire place was, from what I could tell, wheelchair accessible.

By: boston_mahesh

boston_mahesh — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:17:59 +0000

Chennai is a nice city, and Tamil Nadu is an advanced Indian state. It is culturally very strong, and the human capital of its talented people has been efficiently harnessed the last decade or two. Regarding the architecture: I was pleasantly surprised at the very beautiful buildings there whose architecture was NOT Victorian. If I had to describe the architecture, I'd say that it was definitely not Mughalic/Saracenic, but "Tamil", and the buildings were all built with locally sourced materials and designed by local architectures.

I've seen garish designs as well, mostly to liturgical structures, like Masjids, churches, and Hindu temples. I wish that Indian architects and city planners boldly make designs and quit trying to "Mughalize" everything with those tired fountains and arches. Why not revolutionize a new architect/art style called "Nehru", named after the current dynasty, and why not "Nehruify" everything?

By: Seema

Seema — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 06:23:10 +0000

Razib, I haven’t been to this particular park in Madras, but one would need to be quite circumspect in general in India in terms of PDA–it’s not generally going to lead to violence, but more of unwelcome attention. Major oases are South Bombay (but, watch out for LeT terrorists!) and any 5-star hotel grounds. Also, I’m told, various rural village settings, which can be quite randy, but I don’t know!!

By: razib khan - atheist

razib khan - atheist — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 06:07:23 +0000

this is heartening. re: “lovers,” this isn’t a major issue then? i recall a few years back right-wing activists were targeting lovers in north india during valentines’ day. my cousin had to go to chennai years ago, and she recounted how bold and independent the women there seemed to her.