Things to do in T. Nagar

T. Nagar (Thyagaraya Nagar) is Chennai's biggest shopping district and a serious arts address. Silk and jewellery stores line Usman Road and Panagal Park, Ranganathan Street is packed from morning, and Pondy Bazaar has a wide pedestrian plaza along Thyagaraya Road. Two of the city's major sabhas are here: Vani Mahal on G.N. Chetty Road, home of Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha on Maharajapuram Santhanam Salai. Both run concerts, dance and Tamil theatre all year and full schedules in December. In the fortnight before Deepavali and Pongal the area is at its most crowded. Mambalam suburban station is the practical way in.