Madras was renamed to Chennai in 1997 but residents cherish their colonial heritage as Madras Day.
Chennai is celebrating its 377th birthday today. It's called Madras Day as a tribute to its rich colonial past.
Now an IT, automobile and education major, the Madras most of its citizens reminisce of had its humble beginnings almost 400 years ago.
On this day in 1639, the British bought a small piece of land overlooking the beach from the Nayak rulers to establish their East India Company.
It was then called Chennaipatnam. Soon, the old Fort St George came up, around which George town developed which later became Madras.
The city expanded along the River Cooum. The then Madras Presidency included even Andhra Pradesh, with Madras the hub for commerce to culture, education to entertainment, and health to hospitality.
In 1996 the Tamil Nadu government renamed the city Chennai, to end the colonial tag. But Chennaites cherish their colonial heritage as Madras Day.
Former Tennis player Vijay Amritraj a Madras boy said, "The city has continued to grow, perhaps become a bit conservative. But I grew up during the best days. The Marina beach is the best. I've been to many beaches in Hawaii or Rio but Marina is the best. We had great training on the sands."
Chennai is perhaps the only Indian city that celebrates its rich colonial culture. Many call it the "ever-changing yet never changing spirit". Over the next week, many Chenaiites will re-discover their heritage in a variety of ways.
Over the next week many groups wold organise special guided tours to heritage sites, besides tree walks, food walks, photo exhibition and storytelling sessions. There would also be a series of trekking, cycling and even motor bike expeditions to explore the city.