Ramki is a 58-year-old artist and a popular city-based wedding cartoon specialist. He admires the works of cartoonist RK Laxman and, cannot live without sambar podi and puliyodharai. He tells us why namma city is the best.
What’s your Chennai connect?
I was born at Ghosha Hospital in Triplicane, in 1960.
What do you love about our city?
Our culture. I love it.
A Chennai-based celeb or any personality whom you would like to date or go out with.
Actor Vijay. I admire him a lot.
Three Chennai specialties that can’t be found in any part of the world?
Filter coffee, Hanuman temple’s vadai and bonda.
Your favourite hangout spot?
Marina Beach.
What would you like to change about the city?
Spitting on the roads, gross indiscipline in traffic leading to tragic accident and loss of precious life.
Where would you take a person who is new to the city? Why?
The Egmore museum, to show them the old and golden days of life.
What would you do to prove
someone that you are a true Chennai vasi?
Wearing a veshti and three pattai viputhi on the forehead. Though that’s how most south Indians are stereotyped, it’s okay for us to embrace our culture.
Two Madras bashai words that you would teach a newbie?
Machi and Semma.
What would you take from Chennai when you travel?
Sambar podi and Puliyodharai.
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever wanted to do in the city? And where?
I want to be part of a film artists’ fancy dress carnival at AVM studio.
Describe the city in your own words and style!
Namma city is the best city, machi!