Beach: this third place in Chennai makes room for everyone

In Chennai, the coastline offers spaces that cater to everyone, embodying the concept of a 'third place' where individuals can relax, socialize, and simply be. These beachfront areas are bustling with activity, from art workshops to cricket games, moonlight cinema screenings, and peaceful reads. Dr. Sarah Nazneen, a gynecologist, and her husband Muhammed Naleem host art sessions on Sundays, providing a relaxed atmosphere for painting and socializing.

Poet Balachandar from Arakkonam prefers to read at Elliot’s Beach, finding it liberating to be "invisible" among the crowds. The beach is a place where diverse groups, including college students, corporate professionals, senior citizens, and families, come together to enjoy the simple pleasures of wind, water, and camaraderie. It is a place where the city's collective stress is momentarily released, offering a much-needed break from the demands of daily life.