August 30, 2025

The 1990s in Madras were truly magical and simple times! Long before cellphones and fancy tech took over, fun meant playing street cricket or visiting places like Spencer Plaza to cool off and window shop. Kids loved hopping on buses to Marina Beach or the Woodlands Drive-in, enjoying bajji or masala dosa while chatting with secret crushes or cracking silly kadi jokes, which are Tamil-style dad jokes. Let's meet three 90s kids who still shine with nostalgia about their city, movies, and music. Shiva, a famous actor, fondly remembers playing cricket in the streets of CIT Nagar with his friends in a team called "City Bulls." He dreamed of becoming a great cricketer like his hero, Sachin Tendulkar. "All that helped me internalise the character in my hit film, Chennai 28," he says, nodding to how cricket shaped his boyhood. Without TVs or gadgets, they spent loads of time outside, soaking in the city life. Shiva’s cherished movie memory? Watching the Hindi film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) at Melody Theatre with friends who didn't understand Hindi. "They egged me on to translate, but I barely understood either!" he laughs, sharing how his homemade translations made the experience unforgettable. Krithika Nelson, known as Madrashe, a lyricist and singer, grew up in Adyar where music spun her world around. She recalls buying mixed tapes at a local shop and dancing wildly to AR Rahman's hits like "Hai Rama" from Rangeela (1995). "There was more peace, and people met without agendas, unlike today," she says warmly. Post school, kids dashed to friends' homes housing rare PCs to play games like Prince of Persia. Evenings meant spreading a bedsheet by Besant Nagar beach with friends or planning trips to amusement parks like MGM Dizzee World. Closer to home, she enjoyed traditional kutcheris at Narada Gana Sabha and laughed along with hilarious Tamil dramas. Darbuka Shiva, a director and musician from Kolathur, recalls the sweaty summers but says the city spots made it worthwhile. The first time he explored Nungambakkam and Landmark bookstore left him awestruck with their foreign music and books. "I would hide my favorite cassettes on shelves so they wouldn't sell out before I came back!" he chuckles. Spencer Plaza was the iconic mall where he and friends hung out before heading to Marina Beach. Growing up around many Anglo-Indians meant spontaneous Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley tunes blared often. And at just 10 years old in 1992, hearing the Roja soundtrack by AR Rahman was a life-changing moment. "When the ‘Yelelo’ part from ‘Chinna Chinna Aasai’ exploded, it gave me goosebumps and magical images," he shares. These stories bring alive the charm of 90s Madras — a city buzzing with cricket fever, catchy tunes, joyous friendships, and the simple thrill of discovery. Were you a 90s kid too? Let these memories take you back to merry days of laughter, music, and endless fun.

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Tags: Madras 90s, Cricket, Ar rahman, Childhood memories, Spencer plaza, Marina beach,