Five photographers capture the many faces of Chennai through their favourite frames
In celebration of World Photography Day, five photographers share their favorite images of Chennai, highlighting the city's colonial architecture and the struggles of its residents. The feature explores how photography captures both the historical beauty and the lived realities of the metropolitan landscape.
Why it matters
It provides a cultural perspective on urban identity and the role of visual storytelling in documenting social and historical narratives.
Against the backdrop of World Photography Day on August 19, five photographers look back at their favourite frames of Chennai, and the memories that drew them to capture them
Like any other metropolitan city, Chennai is always on the move, chasing dreams and livelihoods. But in every nook and corner of the city — between the bricks of its colonial buildings and the folds of its shorelines — lie thousands of stories, told and untold. The city reveals this side to those who pause and observe it.
“There is nothing like Chennai in the early morning light. The best time to photograph architectural buildings is between 5.30am and 7am, especially when the sky is cloudy,” says Kiran Sa.
In his photograph, the Senate House of the University of Madras stands with its ornate arches and domes in the soft morning light, bringing alive the colonial history the city carries.
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