In the context of globalisation and liberalisation, history has become all the more relevant, chairman of Media Development Foundation Sashi Kumar said at ‘Historica’14, Chennai 375 years and Beyond’, at Ethiraj College for Women here on Wednesday.

“During the process of homogenisation and cosmopolitanism, certain erasures are taking place in terms of cultural distinctiveness and indigenous values; hence, history will have to be constantly rediscovered,” he said.

He spoke about how urban Madras in the 19 century, unlike today, was not a single central town but an agglomeration with a series of urban loci or several occupational castes around them. “The way Madras developed was very distinctive when compared to other British colonial cities in India such as Bombay or New Delhi,” he added.

The premium stretch called the Choutry Lane in Madras comprised Nungambakkam, Egmore, Pudhupakkam, Royapettah and Teynampet, where everyone wanted to own a piece of land, Mr. Sashi Kumar said.

“The Europeans owned a lot of land and at one point, the cost of land rose so much that even they could not afford it. You can imagine what Chennai would have looked like in those times,” he added.

A. Nirmala, principal of the college, said reflecting on the past is essential to understand the present.

“The young should be sensitised about the heritage of the city so that they feel proud of it. We are considering events in this regard,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Madras 375 / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – August 14th, 2014