Some cities don't need an introduction. They need a different point of view.
I've travelled through Chennai countless times. I've crossed its roads on my bike, walked through its streets with my camera, and photographed many of its landmarks. On this day, I discovered a version of Chennai I had never truly experienced before.
It began at Chennai Central Railway Station. As I stepped aboard the beautifully restored vintage bus, it felt as though I was stepping back in time. Without thinking twice, I chose the window seat.
It felt like the start of a story. For the next few hours, the window became my viewfinder.
Every few minutes, a warm voice filled the bus. As we neared each landmark, the narration revealed its history, significance, and the stories within its walls. I was no longer just passing by these places; I was listening to them. It felt as if Chennai itself was quietly telling its story while the city moved beyond my window.
As the vintage bus passed Egmore Museum, Valluvar Kottam, Semmozhi Poonga, Santhome Church, the Light House, Vivekananda House, Kannagi Statue, Marina Beach, the War Memorial, the Secretariat, and the High Court, I began to see Chennai differently.
As a photographer, I wasn't chasing perfect shots. I was capturing moments: reflections on the bus window, the shifting cityscape, fellow travellers' smiles, and the emotions that gave each frame meaning. As the bus slowly returned to Chennai Central, I looked outside one last time.
Every journey tells a story, and every photograph keeps it alive.