The Hindu launches Season 4 of Made of Chennai: Chennai is Chennaiing

Chennai is Chennaiing. And The Hindu is bringing it all together.

The Hindu has announced the launch of Season 4 of Made of Chennai, its annual celebration of the city it calls home-its people, beach, culture, food, music, history, neighbourhoods and all the little things that make Chennai, well… Chennai.

This year’s theme, “Chennai is Chennaiing,” celebrates a city that is constantly in motion — evolving, surprising and giving its people something new to discover, while continuing to hold on to the traditions, memories and everyday experiences that define it.

The campaign comes alive through a vibrant visual celebration of Chennai, bringing together its iconic landmarks, buses and streets, food, music, traditions, neighbourhoods and the many everyday moments that make the city uniquely its own.

Speaking about the campaign, Sundar Kondur, Chief Revenue Officer, The Hindu Group, said: “Made of Chennai has always been our way of celebrating the deep and enduring relationship The Hindu shares with this city. Over the years, it has grown into a platform that brings together Chennaiites across generations through stories, experiences, memories and shared participation. This year, with ‘Chennai is Chennaiing’, we are celebrating a city that never stands still, a city that is evolving, moving forward and constantly finding new ways to surprise us, while remaining unmistakably Chennai. Through Season 4, we hope to create experiences that allow people to rediscover, participate in and celebrate the city they call home.”

What’s in store this season?

The celebrations begin with a special campaign launch communication on August 10, featuring an artistic long-form communication in The Hindu that captures Chennai’s spirit. 

The campaign will also feature a series of Reader Engagement Contests, including a Trivia Quiz from August 11 onwards and a Photo Quiz from August 17 onwards, inviting Chennaiites to test their knowledge and engage with the city in a fun and interactive way.

An Archival Photo Exhibition, opening August 14 onwards, will take visitors on an immersive visual journey through Chennai’s past, featuring rare photographs from The Hindu’s 147-year archives. The exhibition will offer audiences an opportunity to rediscover the people, places and moments that have shaped the city.

The much-loved Moonlight Cinema returns on August 16, offering Chennaiites a memorable open-air cinematic experience along the city’s coastline, blending cinema, ambience and community under the night sky.

On August 23, Made of Chennai will turn the spotlight on the city’s heritage with a special Heritage Celebration at Royapuram Railway Station, Chennai’s first railway station. The experience will feature a heritage photo walk and historian-led discussions, offering participants a closer look at the city’s rich past.

The Made of Chennai Run will bring Chennaiites together on August 23 for a 5K and 10K run, starting from Besant Nagar Beach and taking participants through some of the city’s iconic spaces along with a one-of-a-kind 1 km saree fun run/walk brings together tradition, fitness and the unmistakable spirit of Chennai, as participants take to the streets in sarees to celebrate a garment deeply woven into Tamil culture.

The celebrations will culminate in the Made of Chennai Food & Music Festival on August 29, featuring over 40 food stalls and live music performances by singer Chinmayi, Paal Dabba, Makka The Band and Anthony Daasan. Bringing together the city’s diverse flavours, artists, performers and audiences, the festival promises one big celebration of Chennai’s vibrant culture.

Alongside these on-ground experiences, The Hindu’s editorial teams will bring readers a line-up of stories, conversations and content centred around Chennai, while reader engagement initiatives will invite audiences to actively participate in the celebration.

Together, these experiences are designed to make Made of Chennai more than a campaign. It is a city-wide celebration where Chennaiites can discover, participate, reminisce, share and celebrate Chennai in their own way.

The campaign will come alive across The Hindu’s print, digital and social platforms, amplified through partners, collaborators and communities, taking the #MadeOfChennai conversation across the city.

Casagrand presents Made of Chennai Co-Powered By- AU Small Finance Bank; Associate Partner: Andhra Pradesh Tourism, Joy Alukkas, Orchid The International School, Union Bank of India, LIC; Education Partner- Hindustan Group of Institutions; Mobility Partner- Toyota; Energy Partner- IndianOil; Good Food Partner- Akshaykalpa Organic; Protein Partner- Licious; Food Partner- Murugan Idli; Hydration Partner- Bisleri; Talent Management Partner- ACTC; Radio partner- Big FM; Movie Partner- Kalaippuli S. Thanu presents V creations, RKFI.