Host City

Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal and has a rich history and culture. Chennai was formerly known as Madras and was founded by the British East India Company in 1639. It was one of the first cities to come under British rule in India and served as the administrative and economic centre of the Madras Presidency. Chennai is also known as the "Gateway to South India", as it is a major hub for trade, education, tourism, and entertainment in the region.

Chennai has a diverse population of about 12 million people, who speak Tamil as their official language. The city is home to many temples, mosques, churches, and other places of worship, reflecting its religious pluralism. Chennai is also famous for its classical music and dance traditions, especially Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance. The city hosts many cultural festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Chennai Music Season, the Chennai Book Fair, and the Chennai Sangamam. Chennai is also a centre of film production, especially Tamil cinema, which is popularly known as Kollywood.