The terrace or mottamaadi has always been a favourite spot with the people of Chennai as an escape from the suffocating heat of the day, a place where they can relax and catch up with family and friends while enjoying the soothing sea breeze. But it took Arun Kumaran and Vaghul Rajan to turn the roof top into a business opportunity!
The two, who were batchmates in college, turned independently to entrepreneurship after graduation, but kept in touch over two decades, bonding over art. It was while attending a round of sabhas and theatre shows some time ago that it suddenly struck them that the city lacked an intermediate option - spaces adequate for small-scale events. And thus was born ‘Maadi Spaces’ in Kodambakkam.
“As businessmen, we saw a problem in the event organization industry where people have to opt for either sabhas or reception halls to conduct events”, says Arun.
Maadi Spaces is not your typical event venue, although parties and workshops are conducted there. It aims to recreate the experience of the conventional mottamaadi in a modern set-up - a rooftop with all mod-cons like air-conditioning, lift and power back-up. “There is also a ‘lawn area’ ideal for photo sessions and as a general chill out spot” says Arun Kumaran.
“When we started Maadi Spaces, to my surprise, a lot of traditional folk dancers like Therukoothu artistes and music groups approached us”, he says. That’s when the duo realized that many artistes couldn’t afford the high-maintenance sabhas and concert halls. “We wanted to preserve our traditional arts, and now it has become more of a passion project to us than a business”, adds Arun. “We try to support talented artistes.”
Today, Maadi Spaces conducts events ranging from birthday and New Year parties to folk concerts and workshops.
“Overall Maadi Spaces provides a fun and safe place for all Chennai makkal, and as founders we feel this is a way of giving back to society”, Arun signs off.
