Chennai, the cultural center of South India and gateway to the state of Tamil Nadu, is a fascinating jumble, dominated by glittering high-rise emporia and corporate buildings. Cinema and politics are the major beats on the streets.

But between the psychedelic flashes, you can catch a glimpse of the special-toned charm of colonial history, splendid strains of classical music and sniff a heady compound of jasmines and spices; Chennai still retains a traditional charm of its ancient past. Shored along the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has evolved from a tiny fishing village to the country’s fourth-largest metro.

Chennai, a group of fishermen villages was the site of the East India Company’s first settlement-founded in 1639 and the oldest municipal corporation in India. In colonial days, Chennai was the center of conflict between English and French for supremacy over India.

It also acted as a base for Britishers during the Carnatic wars. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic architecture in its building. The Tamil society might have incorporated English culture but can never be short of being the window to the tradition, culture and life-style of Southern India.

More, you’ll hear the splendid strains of classical music and sniff a heady compound of jasmines and spices, living traditions that are still savored from Chenna’s ancient past. It is rich in culture and tradition and people here celebrate their festivals with pomp but not with too much noise. Apart from religious festivals, the Dance festival and the Music festival are also celebrated with equal pomp and splendor.

You also have the Dance Festival, which is held in Mahabalipuram, 55 km from Chennai. In addition to this you have the music festival which is organised by the Music Academy, usually held in December. You also have the Tamil New Year, which is celebrated on the 14th of April each year. In Chennai, people also celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi in August, though people in Maharashtra celebrate it with more pomp and grandeur.

Fort St. George's towering flagstaff is, even today, the tallest in India. The black charnockite pillar of the building, provide an insight into British military architecture, of the 17th and 18th centuries. Glimpses of early Chennai are preserved in Clive Corner, Wellesley House, Fort Museum and St. Mary's Church.

These are often exhibited and also sold. Cholamandal also has an open - air theatre in which dance performances and poetry reading competitions, are held.

On display in this gallery, are the 10th and 13th century bronzes, 16th and 18th century Rajasthan and Mughal paintings, 17th century Deccani paintings and 11th and 12th century Indian handicrafts.

The museums prize possessions however, are the relics from the 2nd century AD, Buddhist site at Amaravati. Prehistoric exhibits from the Stone and Iron Ages, exquisite carvings and a fairly large collection of South Indian musical instruments and jewellery, also add to the invaluable collection in the museum. The bronze gallery, with its ancient icons and modern bronzes, is perhaps the best found anywhere in the world.