As the city of Chennai ushers in the New Year with renewed anticipation and hope, leading figures from various walks of life reflect on their journey through the past year and their aspirations for what awaits in 2024. Their stories bring forth a symphony of personal growth, professional milestones, and collective objectives aimed to transform the industry landscape and societal fabric.
Rap artist Asal Kolaar marks 2023 as a year of personal and professional growth, with expanding recognition and impactful musical releases including ‘Naa Ready’ from Leo and ‘Kotha Raja’ from King of Kotha. Despite facing online backlash following his appearance on Big Boss 2022, Kolaar learned resilience and now skillfully navigates the pressures of social media. He hopes to continue his musical experimentation in 2024, aiming to carve a distinct identity for Tamil independent music and foster a global appreciation for it. Kolaar plans to produce his music and videos without label association in the forthcoming year and, with a light-hearted spirit, wishes for monetary success to follow.
On the cinematic front, actor Ashok Selvan celebrates a milestone year, not only attributable to a successful turning point in his career with the ₹50 crore hit film ‘Por Thozhil’ but also due to his marriage. The film has emboldened him to venture fearlessly into diverse roles and defy conventional ‘safe’ choices. Meanwhile, on the home front, Selvan and his wife Keerthi Pandian navigate the complexities of married life with humor and commitment, such as by instituting a ‘no cell phones in the bedroom’ policy to cherish quality time amidst erratic schedules.
In the realm of the performing arts, dancer Aryamba Sriram cherishes 2023 as a year of artistic discovery and the joy found in disciplined preparation. Sriram envisions 2024 as a year of creating meaningful work that resonates with her artistic voice, inspired by the vibrant creative energies experienced at events like the Serendipity Arts Festival.
Public service and community leadership bring in another perspective, with MLA Ezhilan Naganathan reflecting on the environmental and disaster management challenges faced by Chennai, particularly in his constituency. Learning from the coordinated efforts in flood mitigation during the previous year, Naganathan pledges to continue advocating for climate change adaptation and eco-friendly policies in 2024, to safeguard the city’s future and global environmental health.
Chess Grandmaster R Vaishali recalls 2023 as a year of stark contrasts, with initial disappointments in tournament play eventually leading to triumphs, including the esteemed Grandmaster Title and the selection for the Arjuna Award. A newfound sense of personal equanimity has allowed her to celebrate her brother Praggnanandhaa’s chess prowess while appreciating their distinct journeys in the sport. With prestigious tournaments in the pipeline and an Arjuna Award ceremony to kickstart the year, Vaishali anticipates an action-packed 2024 both on and off the chessboard.
These narratives of resilience, creativity, and aspiration from Chennai’s notable personalities offer a glimpse into a future replete with promise. As the city moves forward, it embraces the collective hope of its citizens for a vibrant, impactful, and progressive year ahead.
