‘If only the city could become quieter’

Latha Menon's fondest memories of Madras are at the Central Railway Station, where her father was posted and she spent much of her childhood. She loves the sunrises, fragrances, filter coffee, jasmine, flower bazaar, and vadai. Madras is a mix of old and new, culture and modernity, tech and simplicity. Chennai, however, is noisier and she wishes for more respect for pedestrians. She is a regular reader of The Hindu, which has evolved over the years and bonded the city.

Film maker and producer 

Latha Menon

What are your fondest Memories of Madras 

My fondest memories of Madras are at the Central Railway Station, primarily because I am the daughter of a Railway officer. Though he used to be posted to different places, Madras is where we spent a large part of our lives. And I, being the youngest of three, think Madras welcomed me with open arms. A lot of my education was done here. And my life seemed to centre around the Central Station because I used to go for badminton coaching at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. I used to take the suburban trains from Nungambakkam to Park Station.

What really makes you feel at home in Madras 

When I see the sun rise at home and all the fragrances, the aroma filter coffee and the fragrance of jasmine, the flower bazaar, the aroma of the vadai. There is no home complete without a sunrise of Madras.  What I find so charming about Madras is that you have the old and the new, you have culture, modernity, you have tech, you have simplicity and the wonderful beach, which takes you up to Pondicherry. The drive down to Pondicherry, I like it because you can constantly see the beach and the sunrise and the sunset. What is Madras without these? 

Madras Vs Chennai