Chennai’s iconic annual fair at Island Grounds turns 50

Lights, colors and tastes of India Tourism and Industry Fair (Sutrula Porutkatchi) What happened at the Island Grounds in Chennai is something that more than 50 people in the city remember with great happiness and warmth. The forerunner of shopping malls, it used to be a place where families could spend time together, enjoying walks on soft sand and large snacks accompanied by the sea breeze from the nearby Bay of Bengal. fathers and red pepper bajis.

The 70-day India Tourism and Industry Fair, which started with great fanfare at the Island Grounds in the city, turned 50 recently this year. It was designed and named by former Prime Minister M. Karunanidhi.

KC Indhirani, a resident of Kotturpuram, recalled the days when her family, as she was popularly known, would go to buy kitchen appliances like gas lighters and vegetable cutters at the trade fair. “We would eagerly visit the exhibition to look at the new gadgets introduced that year. There was a toy train that used to offer ticketed rides for children and adults. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Donations stand served delightfully.” prasadam. Giant discretion The stall from Delhi was a big attraction for the children. When we buy it unfried discretion It won’t be as big or tasty when used at home. “It’s been a long time since I left,” he said.

Mini train operation at the Tourist Trade Fair at Island Grounds, Madras on 13 January 1978 | Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

This fair started in the city in 1974 as ‘Pongal Tourist Trade Fair’. According to what is said, that year HinduThe fair featured a typical rural landscape with a temple, huts and a winding canal; amusement park, mini zoo, shopping mall; Booths of Central and State government departments, Air India, Coffee Board, Cooptex and Housing Board. At the graduation ceremony held in February, Karunanidhi had suggested organizing permanent tourism fairs in the city and districts.

The then President VV Giri with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi after inaugurating the ‘Pongal Tourist Festival and Trade Fair’ in Madras on January 7, 1974 | Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

In 1989, Karunanidhi gave the fair its current name. Speaking at the opening of the Island Grounds the same year, he said the fair had tourism and educational values ​​and was a source of entertainment for the poor. Tourism had good potential to generate revenue for governments, and in other countries revenue was a large part of the economy. The theme of the fair that year was ‘350 years of Madras – origin and growth’ and the Madras Corporation had erected a façade at the entrance to mark the occasion. Photographs showing the growth of the city were exhibited at the fair. There were 200 stalls comprising 23 government departments and five Central government organisations, besides stalls representing Assam, Bihar, Kashmir, Gujarat, Orissa (now Odisha).

Former Tourism department official N. Ravi recalled how late Minister RM Veerappan visited the fair at 2 am and ensured that the work progressed well.

A look at the crowd at the Island Grounds trade show in Chennai on January 16, 2018 | Photo Credit: L. Srinivasan

Island Grounds used to belong to the Ministry of Defense but was later handed over to the Tamil Nadu government in the 1980s. “It was a 6.5-acre piece of land in a perfect location. The fair was a place where people could shop for clothes, kitchen appliances and toys at affordable prices. We used to have a permanent railway booking office. There were gardening shows, dog shows by the Madras Kennel Club, a book exhibition with 100 stalls, a food fair with star category hotels and entertainment programs with movie stars. Prizes were given to the best stalls and food entries. Earlier, the entire show was held by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.” “It used to be organized, but now it is organized on a profit-sharing basis by a private contractor,” he explained.

Preparations for the 44th anniversary continue at full speed^This India Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair held at Island Grounds in Chennai on January 2, 2018 | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

In 1982, during a food fair held as part of the fair, a Chettinad specialty, Kothamalli Kashayam It received the award of being the best nutritious food at low cost! At that time, no product, even tandoori chicken, was priced more than ₹3. That year, local ladies’ clubs and the Institute of Catering and Applied Nutrition also participated, and popular dishes from around the country were available at affordable prices.

A circus show continues at the India Tourist and Industrial Expo at Island Grounds in Chennai on January 19, 2016 | Photo Credit: R. Ragu

The fair also had its share of fears. In 1982, a fire broke out and five pavilions of the railways, Civil Supplies Company, Cooptex, Central and State Storage companies and several stalls were completely burned down. Approximately 100 firefighters and 17 water trucks were required to extinguish the fire, which shook the stall owners whose products were burned.

Remains of handloom looms at the India Tourism and Industrial Expo at Island Grounds after a fire broke out on December 29, 1982 | Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

Former Commissioner and Director General of Tourism CP Singh recalls that the exhibition used to be theme-based rather than just photography. It used to be very educational and fun at the same time. In those days, ‘Charming Tamil Nadu’ was our slogan and our unique selling point (USP) were temples and social harmony. Since Tamil Nadu was and still is far ahead in its development goals, the stalls have topics such as girls’ education, higher and technical education, health tourism, how railways contribute, etc. topics were focused on. People were buying many things from Cooptex stall. We used to sell items like rice from Swamimalai and Arani saris.”

The fair in its current form has 43 stalls showcasing the projects and functioning of various State government departments and companies, two Central government organizations and also has attractions like giant wheel and 3D show for kids. Special buses also operate to the fair.

The vortex of a giant wheel creates colorful patterns and reflections in the Cooum river during the India Tourism and Trade Fair exhibition at Island Grounds in Chennai on January 28, 2019 | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

It was published – 21 January 2026 06:00 IST