Republic Day Parade, Chennai

The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950 and thus, the country became a republic on that historic day. Every year, January 26 is celebrated as Republic Day and is one of India's 3 national holidays.

In Tamil Nadu, the main Republic Day celebrations are centred around the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Marina Beach in Chennai. A march of personnel from the armed forces, paramilitary forces, police organisations and various student bands are held, followed by cultural events and procession of floats of various departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

This blog contains 30 photos shot in Chennai.

Location : Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

Photos shot in January 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

The traffic intersection near Gandhi statue in Chennai, before sunrise, on the day of dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

A man in civilian clothes gives instructions to a march contingent at Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, before the start of dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Members of a march contingent at Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Jammu and Kashmir Rifles contingent marching at the traffic intersection near Gandhi statue in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Central Reserve Police Force contingent marching near Madras Lighthouse in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

A member of Tamil Nadu Police Coastal Security Group contingent helps another with his attire in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, before the start of dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

A horse belonging to Tamil Nadu Police in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, before the start of dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

A float of Indian Coast Guard in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Jammu and Kashmir Rifles contingent marching in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Members of a contingent marching in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Indian Air Force contingent marching in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Tamil Nadu Home Guards contingent marching in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

An Indian Air Force personnel supervises a marching contingent of National Cadet Corps in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Road Safety Patrol contingent marching in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Tamil Nadu artistes perform a dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Tamil Nadu artistes perform a dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Tamil Nadu artistes perform a dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Rajasthan artistes perform a dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Artistes from Adilabad district of Telangana perform a tribal dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Meghalaya artistes perform a dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade.

Folk dancers in action in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade. The artiste standing in the foreground is carrying another one on his shoulders, who in turn is supporting another dancer on his feet.

An artiste waves the Indian flag from the top of a pyramid formation as others salute, during the dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit salutes a marching police contingent on the occasion of India's Republic Day in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai.

Tamil Nadu artistes perform a dance in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai on Republic Day.

Nadaswaram and thavil artistes perform in a float of a department of the Tamil Nadu government on Republic Day in Chennai.

A float depicting a farmer on tractor, cows and crops on the occasion of Republic Day in Kamarajar Salai, Chennai.

Models smile and wave to the crowd on a float depicting saree-weaving on Republic Day in Kamarajar Salai, Chennai. A weaver is seen at the right.

Trucks of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services move in Kamarajar Salai in Chennai as part of the Republic Day parade.

Personnel of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services along with their dogs on a truck during Republic Day parade in Chennai.

C Sylendra Babu, a popular Indian Police Service officer, poses for selfies with civilians in Kamarajar Salai in Mylapore, Chennai after the conclusion of Republic Day celebrations.

Mylapore Festival

Mylapore in Chennai retains the look and feel of an old neighbourhood, whose culture and heritage are typically South Indian. This makes the neighbourhood the perfect setting for a cultural festival.

Mylapore Festival is organised every year in Mylapore in the days leading to Pongal, the harvest festival celebrated by Tamilians. Mylapore Festival was started as a simple kolam contest in 2001 by the neighbourhood newspaper Mylapore Times. Over the years, it has grown into its present form.

This blog contains 20 photos shot in Chennai.

Location : Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

Photos shot in January 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Artistes enacting a drama titled Love Pannungo Sir (fall in love, sir) during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

A photo exhibition with the theme 'Mylapore of 60s and 70s' in South Mada Street in Mylapore, Chennai.

Tholpavakoothu, a form of shadow puppetry, in progress during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

A contest of dayakattam, a traditional dice game, being held at Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls Higher Secondary School in Mylapore, Chennai.

A young couple poses near the main gopuram (entrance tower) of Kapaleeswarar Temple during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

Women at a craft items stall during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

Women cooking paniyaram, a South Indian dish, at a stall during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

A stall selling clothes during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

Customers at a stall selling traditional snacks during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

Women and children at a craft items stall during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

Carnatic music concert by Spoorthi Rao during Mylapore Festival at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Chennai.

A young girl ponders her next move during the chess tourney for children as part of Mylapore Festival at the Mylapore Club in Mylapore, Chennai.

Women drawing kolam during a contest as part of Mylapore Festival in North Mada Street in Mylapore, Chennai.

Rangoli contest organised during Mylapore Festival in North Mada Street in Mylapore, Chennai.

A woman makes rangoli during a contest as part of Mylapore Festival in North Mada Street in Mylapore, Chennai.

Merry-go-rounds for children in a street in Mylapore, Chennai. Children can be seen covering their faces to avoid getting dizzy, perhaps!

A woman blows air to disperse seeds during a traditional game at Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls Higher Secondary School in Mylapore, Chennai.

Young girls jump during a kolattam performance during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai. Kolattam is a dance performed by holding sticks and striking them rhythmically.

Tamil Nadu folk dancers pick handkerchiefs from bottles on the floor while balancing karagams (pots) on head during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.

A Rajasthani folk dance being performed by students of a city college during Mylapore Festival in Mylapore, Chennai.