It is only a fortnight since The Man from Madras Musings put out a set of standard questions he is asked each Madras Week. After it was published, MMM felt that a more appropriate title for that piece would have been Madras Week for Dummies. Since then, Madras Week got over but not the inane queries that invariably come in its wake. And so MMM is filing a fresh set for future reference:
1. How is it I never get to know of Madras Week programmes?
MMM will never ever have an answer to this one. The events were publicised in MM, on MM and MMM’s social media pages and daily papers did a magnificent job of carrying details of each day’s programme. There is also a website updated practically on an hourly basis by a volunteer. So what more can be done? Next year MMM is seriously thinking of hiring drum-beaters and singers to serenade the people who ask this question.
2. You have said the programmes are open to all. But there are no details on where to collect entry passes.
Like those Shakespearian characters, MMM usually soliloquizes a whole set of curses but outwardly smiles and replies that there are no entry passes. The standard response on hearing this from MMM is if so, can you tell us where to register?
3. Sir, I have some ideas for Madras Week. How do I get approval from the organisers?
Please, there are no organisers of Madras Week and it is meant to be a spontaneous celebration. So if you have an idea, just go ahead with it. Did you or your ancestors take someone’s permission before you or they opted to settle in this metropolis?
4. Oh to what purpose are these programmes when the city is going to the dogs? It was such a heaven when I was young.
MMM is sure it was and the fact that it has since gone to the dogs means you too were one of the canines that contributed to it, were you not?
5. Should you not focus on making Madras Week less elitist and more mass-based?
Go ahead, this is where you come in and we look forward to your taking this up in right earnest from the next Madras Week.
Join me on my next heritage walk, at Choolai, on 29/9/2019, Sunday at 6.00 am. To join, click here
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