Eyes of Madras 7.0 Concludes with a Grand Celebration of Chennai’s Visual Storytelling

Eyes of Madras 7.0 Concludes with a Grand Celebration of Chennai’s Visual Storytelling

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

Chennai Photo Walk’s Eyes of Madras 7.0 concluded on a high note with a warm and celebratory valedictory event held last Sunday. Renowned cinematographer Ezhil Arasu graced the occasion as Chief Guest and presented mementos and certificates to all participants who took part in both the print and digital showcases.

The exhibition took place at Art Houz in Nungambakkam and ran for three days with free public entry. The event saw an impressive turnout, with thousands of visitors and photographers engaging with the collection. The final day drew an even larger crowd, reflecting the growing interest in Chennai’s photography community.

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Eyes of Madras 7.0 showcased the essence of Chennai through five unique themes, Many photographers showcased the city through fresh angles, offering the public a new way to experience Chennai. For this edition, 1,100 images were submitted by 156 entrants. Of these, 162 images from 101 participants were selected for print display, and an additional 55 images were chosen for digital showcase to ensure wider visibility.
The themes included:

  1. My friend, Ganesha

  2. Colour, colour: What colour do you want? Red

  3. Enga Area Ulle Varadhey: Kasimedu

  4. Saandhu Pottu, Sandana Pottu

  5. Umbrella Stories

Starting on 5th December, the exhibition promised to bring out different perspectives of Chennai, and according to one of the visitors, the event delivered exactly what it promised. The photographs captured everyday moments, cultural expressions, and vibrant emotions that define the city.

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The closing ceremony also became a gathering of familiar faces from the Chennai Photo Walk community, including G.V. Balasubramanian, Ramaswamy Nallaperumal, Naveen Kumar, and many others who have been pillars of support for the initiative.

With the conclusion of Eyes of Madras 7.0, the community celebrates yet another successful chapter in showcasing the city’s visual identity. The organisers and participants are already looking forward to Eyes of Madras 8.0, scheduled to take place in 2026.


Ghazal & Sufi Evening at Eternal Oasis: A Soulful Musical Soirée to Close the Year

Ghazal & Sufi Evening at Eternal Oasis: A Soulful Musical Soirée to Close the Year

By Author

Published on December 27, 2025

End the year on a serene and reflective note with a Ghazal & Sufi Musical Soirée at Eternal Oasis, Gurugram. Curated as an intimate cultural gathering, the evening invites audiences to immerse themselves in evocative melodies, poetic expressions, and the timeless calm of Ghazal and Sufi music—creating a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the essence of the year gone by.

Set within the tranquil surroundings of Eternal Oasis, a centre dedicated to arts, culture, inner well-being, and spiritual growth, the soirée promises a deeply enriching experience. Known for fostering mindful engagement through cultural expression, Eternal Oasis offers the perfect backdrop for an evening of soulful music and introspection.

The performance will be presented by Sound and Music Academy (SAMA), a professional music institution offering training in piano, guitar, drums, vocals, tabla, and more. With an in-house recording studio and a fully equipped performance stage, SAMA provides its students and performers with real-world musical exposure, making each showcase both authentic and immersive.

This Ghazal & Sufi evening is designed for music lovers, seekers, and anyone looking to conclude the year with grace, stillness, and soulful resonance.

Event Details:
Date & Time: Saturday, 27th December | 6:00 PM
Venue: Eternal Oasis, Sector 42, Gurugram
Ticket Price: ₹499
Bookings: BookMyShow


Chumbak Unveils ‘Lost in Paradise’ Hosting Range to Celebrate the Holiday Season

Chumbak Unveils ‘Lost in Paradise’ Hosting Range to Celebrate the Holiday Season

By Author

Published on December 26, 2025

Marking the festive sparkle of Christmas and the holiday season leading into the New Year 2026, India’s leading contemporary lifestyle brand Chumbak has launched its thoughtfully curated ‘Lost in Paradise’ Hosting Range.

Designed in rich hues of deep reds and greens, the Lost in Paradise ceramic collection evokes the charm of a winter wonderland. Featuring blooming hibiscus and fig motifs crafted in premium ceramic, the range is ideal for festive hosting and gifting during the year-end celebrations.

The collection also introduces a mini baking assortment, including a distinctive ceramic Egg Basket shaped like a hen, a Tea Kettle and tumbler set perfect for cozy winter mornings, and a versatile Casserole designed for comfort bakes such as mac and cheese and homemade lasagna. Bakers will appreciate the set of four measuring cups, while snack bowl sets and flat platters are perfect for serving fig salads, chips, and dips at festive gatherings.

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Each piece in the range reflects Chumbak’s signature illustrative style, drawing inspiration from nature and the wilderness. The standout Egg Basket, uniquely designed in the shape of a hen, seamlessly blends functionality with design, making it equally suited for kitchen cabinets or elegant table presentations of boiled eggs.

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Speaking about the launch, Shubhra Chadda, Founder of Chumbak, said, “The Lost in Paradise collection is inspired by nature and the joy of everyday living, which beautifully resonates with the holiday season. With our one-of-a-kind winter hosting range, we aim to add warmth and joy to festive get-togethers this year-end.”

The ‘Lost in Paradise’ Hosting Range, including the signature Egg Basket, is now available across Chumbak stores and online.


Czech Consulate Reopens in Mumbai After 15 Years, Easing Visa Access for Indian Travellers

Czech Consulate Reopens in Mumbai After 15 Years, Easing Visa Access for Indian Travellers

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 26, 2025

CzechTourism, the Consulate General of the Czech Republic, and Prague Airport have jointly announced the reopening of the Czech Consulate in Mumbai, marking the return of consular operations to India’s western region after nearly fifteen years. The renewed presence is expected to significantly ease visa access for leisure, business, and MICE travellers from western and southern India while strengthening collaboration across tourism, trade, and education.

The reopening was formally marked with a press conference and networking evening held in Mumbai on 9 December 2025, bringing together key Czech public and tourism institutions, including the Consulate General, CzechTourism, Prague Airport, and Czech Trade. The gathering presented a unified vision of “One Czechia,” positioning the country as a year-round European destination for travellers, students, business delegations, film productions, and international events.

The restored consular presence is set to improve accessibility for Indian travellers applying for Czech (Schengen) visas, particularly from regions that previously had limited local access to consular services. This development is expected to support growing interest in Czechia beyond Prague, encouraging longer stays and multi-city itineraries across regions such as South Moravia, Karlovy Vary, and Český Krumlov.

Speaking at the event, Barbara Andelova, International Marketing ManagerNew Markets, CzechTourism, said that Mumbai has long been an important market for Czechia. She noted that the return of the Consulate brings Czechia closer to travellers and partners who have been actively promoting destinations beyond the capital city. She added that combined efforts by the Consulate, Prague Airport, and Czech Trade will further strengthen awareness of Czechia’s diverse travel experiences.

Katerina Vovkova, Consul General of the Czech Republic in Mumbai, highlighted that reinstating the Mumbai office is a meaningful step toward restoring essential services for students, professionals, tourists, and businesses. She stated that the Consulate aims to implement processes gradually, with quarterly evaluations to ensure efficiency and continuous improvement in service delivery.

The reopening also aligns with rising outbound travel demand from India, particularly from western and southern regions. GB Srithar, Head – Tourism Services, VFS Global, which represents CzechTourism in India, the Middle East, and Israel, noted that improved visa access will enhance Czechia’s visibility across heritage, culture, gastronomy, and immersive travel experiences.

Looking ahead, VisitCzechia is preparing to launch a comprehensive 2026 integrated marketing campaign, focusing on gastronomy, wellness, culture, and heritage. The campaign aims to deepen engagement with Indian travellers and further position Czechia as a versatile and enriching European destination.

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