Chennai History Project
Iteration - 1
1919-1973Weaving together the past and present, the rich and complex tapestry of a city in flux, this project seeks to encourage historical research centred around Chennai - and its journey from Madras to Chennai.
The city of Chennai (formerly Madras) in south India is known for its vibrant culture and rich heritage. It has been a site of significant social, economic and political phenomena and has undergone tremendous spatial transformation over the past four centuries. Significantly the social character of the city has changed immensely.
The growth of the city was accompanied by new forms of human intervention upon the land and the water bodies that dotted the landscape in this corner of the Coromandel coast. As the city expanded, many communities located in the urban periphery experienced sudden changes in their livelihoods and environments.
Genesis
The motivation for this initiative came from a discussion on a book titled, "The Island at the Center of the World" between Vijay and his friend Balaji, in 2020. In the course of their discussions on the city's history, and interactions with 15 eminent historians working in this domain, the two friends saw several gaps in the tapestry of work available to the public.
Inspired by this and the vibrant historical archives of cities such as Manhattan, New York City, Chicago and London, they realised the need to document and preserve the socio-economic, political, and cultural history of this metropolis.
Anchored as a partnership between Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE) and LEAD at Krea University (IFMR), this is an effort to uncover and document Chennai's history. In its first phase, the initiative will focus on encouraging historical research and writing through small grants, peer support, and workshops/conferences.
Iterations
Important Dates
Essay Proposal Deadline
February 9, 2024
Results Announcement
March 8, 2024
Inception Workshop
March 15, 2024
Final Submissions
November 29, 2024
Closing Workshop
August 9, 2025
Top Submissions
Madras: The Capital of Resistance
How a city shaped the struggle for Linguistic choice in India
Alamu R.Independent Researcher
Whose city?
Colonial implications and socio-spatial transformation of public spaces in Triplicane and Mylapore
Nian Paul and Tara SaharanUniversity College London and Radboud University
Women’s movements in the Madras Presidency and their impact on the Indian Constitution
Shruthi Viswanathan and Rasha HameedThe Equals Project
Women Students in Madras Medical College
Learning in a Male Bastion
Archana VenkateshClemson University
Call for Essays
The Making of a South Indian Metropolis: Chennai/Madras, 1919-1973
Do you want to uncover the captivating story of Chennai/Madras from 1919 to 1973? While many public historians have highlighted the city's history, there's still much to be explored.
We're seeking engaging essays that tell the city's story in jargon-free language, welcoming contributions in both Tamil and English. Share your insights, dive into its past and be part of a vibrant dialogue where history meets analysis.
Selected participants will be provided a stipend and invited to present their work in a series of curated writing workshops.
Editorial Committee iteration 1
VG
V. Geetha
Independent Scholar
Renowned independent scholar specializing in gender studies and social history.
DT
Dr. T. Janaki
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor at International Institute of Tamil Studies with expertise in Tamil literature and history.
JM
John Mathew
Associate Professor
Associate Professor of the History of Science at Krea University, focusing on the intersection of science and society.
KC
Karen Coelho
Our Partners
Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE)
Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE) is a non-profit organization based in Texas, USA, focusing on social and economic justice issues in Chennai, India, and the US. Researching and documenting Chennai's history and unveiling perspectives often overlooked aligns with ECTE's goal of sharing the city's diverse history, empowering voices, and contributing to broader discussions.
Visit: ectefoundation.org
LEAD at Krea University
action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society that leverages the power of research, innovation and co-creation to solve complex and pressing challenges in development. LEAD has strategic oversight and brand support from Krea University (sponsored by IFMR Society) to enable synergies between academia and the research centre.
Visit: ifmrlead.org