Weaving together the past and present, the rich and complex tapestry of a city in flux, this project seeks to encourage historical research centred around Chennai - and its journey from Madras to Chennai.
The city of Chennai (formerly Madras) in south India is known for its vibrant culture and rich heritage. It has been a site of significant social, economic and political phenomena and has undergone tremendous spatial transformation over the past four centuries. Significantly the social character of the city has changed immensely. The growth of the city was accompanied by new forms of human intervention upon the land and the water bodies that dotted the landscape in this corner of the Coromandel coast.
As the city expanded, many communities located in the urban periphery experienced sudden changes in their livelihoods and environments. While these processes undoubtedly had an uneven impact on different social classes, they fundamentally transformed Chennai into an emergent Indian metropolis as we know it today, which will be explored through this project.
The motivation for this initiative came from a discussion on a book titled, “The Island at the Center of the World'' between Vijay and his friend Balaji, in 2020. In the course of their discussions on the city’s history, and interactions with 15 eminent historians working in this domain, the two friends saw several gaps in the tapestry of work available to the public. Inspired by this and the vibrant historical archives of cities such as Manhattan, New York City, Chicago and London, they realised the need to document and preserve the socio-economic, political, and cultural history of this metropolis.
Anchored as a partnership between Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE) and LEAD at Krea University (IFMR), this is an effort to uncover and document Chennai’s history. In its first phase, the initiative will focus on encouraging historical research and writing through small grants, peer support, and workshops/conferences.
Do you want to uncover the captivating story of Chennai/Madras from 1919 to 1973? While many public historians have highlighted the city's history, there's still much to be explored. We're seeking engaging essays that tell the city's story in jargon-free language, welcoming contributions in both Tamil and English. Share your insights, dive into its past and be part of a vibrant dialogue where history meets analysis.
Selected participants will be provided a stipend and invited to present their work in a series of curated writing workshops. Explore some relevant resources on the histories of Chennai/Madras here.
V. Geetha
Independent Scholar
Dr. T. Janaki
Assistant Professor, International Institute of Tamil Studies
John Mathew
Associate Professor of the History of Science, Krea University
Karen Coelho
Professor (retired) Madras Institute of Development Studies
Karthik Rao Cavale
Assistant Professor of Political Economy and Urban Studies, Krea University
Dr. G. J. Sudhakar
Professor and Head, Historical Studies, CPR Institute of Indological Research
Vijay Gnanaprasad
Product Manager, Amazon, and Organiser, Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE)
LEAD at Krea University is an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society that leverages the power of research, innovation and co-creation to solve complex and pressing challenges in development. LEAD has strategic oversight and brand support from Krea University (sponsored by IFMR Society) to enable synergies between academia and the research centre.
Empowering Communities Through Education (ECTE) is a non-profit organization based in Texas, USA, focusing on social and economic justice issues in Chennai, India, and the US. Researching and documenting Chennai's history and unveiling perspectives often overlooked aligns with ECTE's goal of sharing the city's diverse history, empowering voices, and contributing to broader discussions.
If you have any queries or would like to add to our bibliography, please write to [email protected]
Director, Health Systems and Quality of Life
Sohini Paul leads the Health Systems and Quality of Life portfolio at LEAD, bringing nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of health, gender, and development. Her work spans maternal and child health, adolescent wellbeing, family planning, and food security, with a focus on translating rigorous research into real-world policy impact.
Previously, Sohini held senior research roles at the Population Council and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), collaborating with government ministries and global donors such as the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Gates Foundation to design evidence-based programs and policies.
Sohini holds a PhD in Economics from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research and completed postdoctoral research at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. She has taught graduate courses on gender and development economics at Carleton University and continues to mentor young scholars in India and internationally, fostering equity-driven research. Guided by a systems-thinking perspective, she is passionate about fostering collaboration, learning, and amplifying the voices of women and marginalised communities.
Associate Director, Research & MLE (Gender x Digital hub)
Mahima Taneja leads research and monitoring, learning & evaluation for the Gender x Digital (GxD) hub at LEAD. She brings over a decade of experience in research and evaluation, with work spanning gender equality, urban policy, WASH, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Previously, Mahima worked with the Gates Foundation in India, managing multiple evaluations under the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Financial Systems portfolios. She has also held roles at Sambodhi, ISST, and Oxfam India, and is an active member of the Evaluation Community of India.
Mahima holds an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Political Science with a specialisation in Gender Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, where her doctoral research explored the gendered politics of urban public spaces. She has taught at the University of Delhi and published widely on feminist evaluation, inclusive cities, and women’s movements in India.
Knowledge Management Specialist
Shanmugam Manoharan is a Knowledge Management Specialist at LEAD, with a strong interest in making research and evidence accessible and actionable. Over the years, he has worked with organisations such as the World Bank, Delhi Assembly Research Centre, and other development institutions, contributing to a range of initiatives on rural development, gender-transformative evaluations, and livelihoods programs.
Shanmugam holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Passionate about the intersection of gender, caste, livelihoods, and social inclusion, Shanmugam is dedicated to delivering people-centered solutions that deliver real impact. Outside work, he enjoys history books, travel, and a good mystery thriller.