The capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai (formerly known as Madras) was one of the first outposts of British East India Company. The East India Company having established itself in the south of the country took advantage of the prosperity of the era and expanded its boundaries to roughly what is the central area of present day Chennai. As a centre for Tamil culture, the city and its people are renowned for their love of dance, literature, sculpture, music and cinema. But the city’s pulse races at various levels, being home to the second largest film industry in India, a major centre for sports like cricket, tennis and motorsports, a major port in the south and bustling malls.