CHENNAI: Thara Ganesan is a multi-talented poet, artist, sculptor and musician, who wears each of these hats with excellence apart from her professional calling as VP of development at IIT Madras. Her works include what she calls 'lyrical abstraction' and is often inspired by the five elements of nature, apart from themes of female form and sexuality. She has also most recently fashioned a series of sculptures taking inspiration from the Greek and Naga deities, celebrating the female form.
What are your favourite spots in the city and why?
Every single gallery, library and beach, because that’s where my soul belongs.
If you had to take a non-Chennaiite to that one spot in the city, which one would it be?
Why one? I’d take them to Mahabalipuram, Cholamandalam and DakshinChitra.
What are the must-learn words you'd teach him/her?
Vanakkam, Namaskaram, Nandri, Enna Villai, Adada, Arputham.
Is there a personality (dead or alive) from Chennai that you wish you could meet once?
MS Amma, DK Pattammal and Ilayaraja.
Three things synonymous to the words ‘Namma Chennai’?
St George Fort, Mylapore and Ripon Building.
Your favourite Tanglish words?
Summa-freeya vidu, semma-super, Attagastic
What movie do you think truly represents Chennai?
Salangai Oli — The song Mounamana Neram where Valluvarkottam is portrayed
excellently well…
Is there a stereotype about us Chennaiites that you wish you could change?
Despite much efforts Suthamana Chennai —is still a distant dream, especially in public staircase walls, people still spit. The most painful one is that someone had pasted pictures of gods and goddess on the sidewalls of staircase to guard the walls from ‘paan-spit red-stains’ and the streets stinking with excretion. How ridiculous! Awareness campaigns are needed for making people realise about ISR (Individual Social Responsibility).