Always looking out for activities like this, I was excited enough to decide that I would go there the first day itself!
It was a great call.
The address said "1, Elliots Beach Road." I hailed an auto. After winding through a few side-streets after a long ride, I suddenly heard the driver ask me for the address.
"Number 1" I replied. And added, "is this Elliots Beach Road?"
"No, sir, Elliots Beach Road is after I make this right turn."
He turned and I could see the beach on the left. I looked to the right, and there it was: a huge banner that said "Paalam."
"Right here" I told the auto driver, and paid.
It was much smaller than what I had anticipated. But, it was a wonderful setting.
Across from the beach. Under some gorgeous trees. With an arty and small amphitheater.
Way cool. It didn't matter that I am severely art-challenged!
I checked at the reception desk whether it would be ok for me to take photos. No problems.
I scanned the inner set of art work, near the amphitheater:
As I stood there trying to make sense of this surreal experience of art in Chennai, by the beach, on a glorious afternoon, a guy came up to me with a tray of paper cups full of tea.
"Some tea?" he asked.
"No, thanks."
I walked around, and stood under another tree:
Artists certainly seem to know how to hang out in some awesome places. The conferences I go to are held in climate-controlled semi-dark rooms where people talk while pointing at crappy PowerPoint slides!
I retraced me path, and was delighted to see a flapping paper that had the artist's name and hometown: he was from Neyveli. Yay!!!
I couldn't locate the artist. But, I was not too keen on inquiring either.
I figured it was time to visit the beach. In one section, I spotted a lone man sitting facing the waters. I imagined that he was the artist from Neyveli and that is why he was not to be found in the art exhibit.
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