Chennai, formerly known as Madras is the capital city of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The city was established in the 17th century by the British, who developed it into a major urban centre and naval base. By the 20th century, it had become an important administrative centre, as the capital of the Madras Presidency.
Chennai, like all the other metropolises in India, experienced significant economic growth in the last 15 years. It has several options for mainstream entertainment with malls, multiplexes, restaurants and hotels at nearly every major commercial district. The city has a vibrant theatre scene and is an important centre for Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form. The Tamil film industry, popularly known as Kollywood, the second largest movie industry in India, is based in the city. It is also the medical capital of India with some of the country’s best healthcare institutions situated in the city.
