Chennai that was Madras is India’s southern metropolis and is considered by many to be synonymous with South India. It has the reputation of being conservative, rigid, and unexciting. Chennai too plays along, preferring to hide its history and heritage and downplaying its manifold achievements. To set the record straight, Madras has a strong claim to being the first proper city of modern India and boasts many debuts in that regard—the first regiment of the Indian Army was founded here, the city saw the formation of the first urban corporation in the country, it is home to India’s oldest bookshop, railway station, and lots more. It is also the city where social reformers fought for representation and equality for the most depressed classes much before such movements gained ground elsewhere in India. In short, Chennai is a city of flair, colour, creativity, and numerous distinctions.