What is "madras"

madras \ma*dras"\, n. [So named after Madras, a city and presidency of India.]

1. A large silk-and-cotton kerchief, usually of bright colors, such as those often used by negroes for turbans.

   A black woman in blue cotton gown, red-and-yellow madras turban . . . crouched against the wall.
   --G. W. Cable.

2. A light patterned cotton fabric.

1833, in reference to the former Indian state of Madras (modern Chennai, a Tamil name), from which this type of bright-colored muslin cloth was exported. The British fort there dates from 1639; the name sometimes is said to be from Sanskrit mandra, a god of the underworld, but perhaps rather from Arabic madrasa "school" or Portuguese Madre (de Deus).

n. a brightly colored cotton fabric with a checked or striped pattern.

Madras is the former name of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India.

Madras may also refer to:

• Madras (cloth), a type of cotton fabric originating in Tamil Nadu, India
• Madras (costume), the national dress of St. Lucia
• Madras (beverage), an alcoholic beverage
• Madras sauce, a spicy curry flavour
• Madras, Oregon, a city in Jefferson County, Oregon
• Madras State, a state of India till 1968
• Madras Presidency, a former province of British India
• Madras College, a secondary school in St. Andrews, Scotland
• Madirasi, a 2012 Malayalam-language film
• Madras (film), a 2014 Tamil film

Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric with typically patterned texture and plaid design, used primarily for summer clothing such as pants, shorts, dresses, and jackets. The fabric takes its name from the former name of the city of Chennai in India.

Madras today is available as plaid patterns in regular cotton, seersucker and as patchwork madras, meaning cutting several madras plaid fabrics into squares or rectangles and sewing them back together to form a mixed pattern of various plaids.

The Madras, also called the Jip or Jupe, is the national dress of the countries of Dominica and Saint Lucia. A traditional five piece costume it was originally derived from the Wob Dwyiet (or Wobe Dwiette), a grand robe worn by the earlier French settlers, and this garment is also recognised as a national dress of the country. The Madras is the traditional dress of the women and girls of Dominica and St. Lucia, and its name is derived from the Madras cloth, a fabric used in the costume.

Madras is a 2014 Tamil musical political drama film written and directed by Pa. Ranjith. The film stars Karthi alongside Catherine Tresa, Kalaiyarasan, Vinod and Riythvika. The film was produced and distributed by Studio Green in association with Dream Factory. Santhosh Narayanan composed the soundtrack and score, while the editing was handled by Praveen K. L.

Principal photography commenced on 11 October 2013 at Vyasarpadi in Chennai. Most of the film's shooting was done in localities in and around the northern part of the city, namely Kasimedu, a locality in the Royapuram area of north Chennai, Otteri and Perambur. Filming was wrapped up by June 2014. The film released on 26 September 2014 to critical acclaim and became a "Super hit" at boxoffice.

Madras is the soundtrack album of the 2014 Tamil drama film of the same name written and directed by Pa Ranjith and produced by Studio Green. Santhosh Narayanan composed the soundtrack album and background score for the film. The album consists of 5 songs with two theme music instrumental tracks all composed by Santhosh Narayanan. While Gana Bala penned the lyrics for the two songs sung by him, the remaining three were penned by Kabilan and Uma Devi.