CHENNAI: Sreemathy Mohan is a city-based IT professional who is also passionate about Indian textiles and handlooms. She often curates textile exhibitions in the city, and is the co-founder of W3 - Women, Weave, World on Facebook.
What’s your Chennai connect?
I was here for my higher education and my job, after which I didn’t want to return to my hometown in Coimbatore.The toughest part was forgetting the sweet drinking water of siruvani thanni.
What do you love about namma ooru?
Beeing a textile enthusiast, I love the variety of saris, the deals and the crowds which flock each and every shop in North Usman Road. Every time I go to that Brahmandamai store, I am awed by their mass merchandising.
A Chennai-based celeb or any personality whom you would like to date or go out with?
I would love to go on a date with annan MS Dhoni.
What makes Chennai unique from the rest of the world?
You can’t find the maddening way share auto drivers ride around the city. There’s also the moment when Lord Kapali comes on Athikara Nandi on the East Gopura Vasal, and when they show the deeparadhana during the 63 moovar festival. And then there’s the ultimate joy when sambhar is poured by the mug over your idlis at Rathna Cafe.
Your favorite hangout spot?
My favourite hangout spot is Sundari Silks in T Nagar or any textile shop, for that matter.
Three stereotypes about the city and the people that makes you roll your eyes?
I don’t like how all the saris are dubbed “south cottons” by the people north of the Vindhyas - we have so many different weaves in Tamil Nadu, not just one. Another is Chennai makkal ordering “Paneer Butter masala” for North Indian subzis. Everyone also becomes a music critic
during December.
Where would you take a person who is new to the city? Why?
I would take a newbie for a walk through the gardens in the Theosophical Society to show that we have some greenery left.
What would you do to prove someone that you are a true Chennai vasi?
I would wear a pakka Kanjivaram saree to a Punjabi wedding, and show my #maamiswag.
What would you take with you if you had to leave the city?
I would take filter coffee and podi idli.
If you had to draw a comparison between Chennai and any other city/country, what would it be? And why?
I would compare Chennai to Sri Lanka, the extension of our Tamil land. But it’s so clean, there’s no kuppai on the streets. No honking either.
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever wanted to do in the city? And where?
I want to evacuate all the offices inside Fort St. George, clean it up, and build the best textile museum in south India there.
If you would like to install another statue in Marina beach, what or who would it be about?
Marina beach does not have any statue for carnatic musicians, so if I had to construct a statue, it has to be for my favourite carnatic musician,
ML Vasanthakumari.
Describe the city in your own words and style!
Chennai le range-e vera. Machi, understood?