Valentine's Day celebrations shift to coffee houses

Chennai, Feb 11: Love has come out into the open this Valentine's Day, moving from cloistered cinema halls to courtship in malls and coffee houses.

It is all about finding the perfect dating place to handover that romantic gift or exchange vows, putting aside for a day the glance at the watch as work calls or look at the pocket to check cash counts.

The soft glow of romance is pervading the city of Chennai, which despite its reputation for being 'traditional' or 'conservative' is in the forefront when it comes to celebrating the day dedicated to St Valentine, falling on February 14 every year.

How can love be a taboo in the land which thrives on movies depicting the sentiment in all its shades? Take the case of 'February 14', which stars Bharath. It showcases the true spirit of the day.

Calling in the teenyboppers are riveting advertisements, gift and card companies unveiling collections of appealing items, the mobile phones SMS-ing Valentine messages and ubiquitous radio channels - FM in particular - airing programmes to match the occasion.

That the city has seen a drastic change in mindset is shown by the number of co-ed schools multiplying. While this is not to say that school kids are paying attention only to Cupid's tricks, it has broken the ice between the gendess that existed even a generation ago. It is no more a question of worrying whether it's love or just infatuation. The aim is to enjoy the day while it lasts and think of tomorrow later. Given the lack of time and space in life these days, making the most of the moment is what counts.

''It feels good to be free. Being with your sweetheart and in touch with nature is what makes the day special,'' B Ramkumar, a third year commerce student of Loyola College says.

Striking a bold yet cautioning note a college professor, V Vijayalakshmi says,'' Celebrations like Valentine's Day are welcome provided the younger generation does not misuse the liberty it has got today.'' ''Young people should remember that while celebrating such occasions they should not hurt the sentiments of their elders or disrespect them in any way,' the professor adds.

Cashing in on the occasion, are vendors of gifts, cards, flowers, all the paraphernelia that go with the day. ''This year we have come out with more than 100 designs. We have already sold more than 10,000 cards this year,'' a beaming salesman of Archies Cards in Nungambakkam says. If selecting cards among the plenty on offer is tough, choosing suitable gifts is even tougher. The gift should reflect the feelings in the heart - a soft toy for a girl and a T-shirt for a boy.

Flowers never fade in their popularity and are still the most appropriate gift for the occasion. The bouquet shops are kept busy and this year they are planning to add more colour and fragrance to their collections. ''We are getting flowers from Hosur and Bangalore.

Generally we make heart-shaped bouquets and the long-stemmed single rose is very popular for the V-Day celebrations', says Divya Kamalanathan of 'Shower Flowers' in Parrys Corner in the city.

''This year we plan to introduce 20 designs with special wrappers (printed heart shapes on the cellophane), she says, adding that prices suit the pocket, ranging from Rs 15 to Rs 1000.

It is the boys who usually gift flowerss to the girls, the red rose, the eternal symbol of love, being the bloom of choice.

Top hotels in the city are vying to make the evening 'lovable'.

''We have planned a gala dinner with every table (Table Dehote Menu) having only two seats,' says the Taj Connemara.

''There will be loads of fun for couples. We have a bagful of surprises,' says K Banu, the PRO of the hotel.

UNI