Senior citizens in Chennai are reclaiming time through hobbies and learning

At the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, under the shade of blooming mango trees, a group of senior citizens are gathered to practise the age-old Tamil martial art form, Silambam. They cautiously learn footwork and combine it with the circular movement of the bamboo staff while the instructor, also a senior citizen, walks around the group often correcting his students’ form. For these few hours, age is not a point of discussion here.

Chitra Subramani, a 60-year-old former dance teacher, was among the senior citizens who signed up for the course. “I have always been interested in learning different kinds of art forms, not just dance. The Tamil Nadu Government Music College opened up the Silambam course while I was still working, and I applied to join just for fun,” she says of this one-year course with certification. The Music College also has other folk art form courses like Oyilattam and Thappattam in their curriculum which are open for senior citizens now, thanks to a recent revision of age restriction for students.

Whether through structured classes or personal exploration, an increasing number of older adults are choosing to stay engaged. While previously, elders often took up hobbies like knitting, weaving and indulging in daily soaps, the retired generation of the 21st Century are deciding to spend their time with martial arts, water sports, visual art or educating themselves about finance.

Some of these hobbies offer physical benefits, but their emotional and social impact is often more significant. According to a 2023 study published in the scientific journal Nature Medicinehobby engagement among adults aged 65 and older was associated with better mental wellbeing, including fewer depressive symptoms, higher self-reported health, greater happiness, and increased life satisfaction.

“Older people get lonely unless they do something with their time. Something that is therapeutic for them, and helps them re-discover their talents. We identify and locate such elders, and try to include them in activities such as painting, yoga and more,” says Sabita Radhakrishna, founder of Udhavi, an NGO and networking platform for senior citizens in the city. “We also conduct a workshop on the nitty gritties of life insurance. Elders are often unaware of these things, so we organise interactive talks,” she says, adding that these workshops are done in collaboration with a senior solutions start-up called Grey Up.

Another hobby that older adults are flocking to is tech education. Dexterity with smartphone has become a necessity to lead an independent life. Organisations like HelpAge India, Easy Hai and ElderAid Wellness have specialised help guides and courses in digital literacy. “When we look at the elder care sector, it is very lopsided towards healthcare. During COVID, people realised the importance of digital literacy. Unfortunately, due to a lot of online scams, elders have been afraid of getting too friendly with technology, but we help them,” says Santosh Abraham, founder of ElderAid Wellness, adding that they have guides which are mailed or sent via WhatsApp for topics ranging from ordering groceries to identifying online scams.

Senior citizens participating in a drawing and painting workshop
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Fun, informal activities like karaoke nights, film screenings, and community singing sessions are also becoming popular ways to bond. “We do quite a lot of musical nights where we get a live band to play songs from old films, and a lot of elders enjoy them and sing along. One time, we had a 90-year-old throw her walking stick and stand up to dance,” says Sabita, laughing. All activities conducted by Udhavi are broadcast on their WhatsApp groups, and seniors can register to join these groups, through the NGO’s website.

Sound body, sound mind

Movement is also a key element in many of the hobbies taken up by senior citizens. At the Academy of Modern Danse (@academy_of_modern_danse on Instagram), Kokila Hariram conducts a weekly class at the Russian Cultural Centre tailored to senior citizens. “We have a Bollywood dance class for ladies in the morning and a lot of mothers and grandmothers join this class. Most of my adult classes are for salsa, ballroom, or jive, and I have elders over 60 joining those,” she says. “Everything they’re doing uses muscle power, and that stimulates the brain.”

For 71-year-old former English teacher Meena Thomas, learning salsa helped ward off oneliness while also keeping fit. “I am not disciplined enough to go to the gym or workout, but I feel like this kind of exercise make me happy. I always thought I had two left feet, but Koki told me anyone can dance. She can make a door dance,” she says adding that she picked salsa because she found some friends who had joined the class. Meena started dancing when she was 63.

These dance classes are populated by both women and men. P Mahalingam, 71, chairman of Door Sabha Nigam Limited, has always been a man of rhythm. “I used to learn Kathak, but had to stop because of some health reasons. I joined salsa classes when I was in my mid 50s, then learned tabla,” he says.

Senior citizens learning traditional art of Silambam classes at Tamil Nadu Government Music College, RA.Puram in Chennai
| Photo Credit:
B. Jothi Ramalingam

As much as dance is for the mind and body, water is too. With the harsh summer settling in, swimming and water-based exercises are becoming popular fitness options for older adults. “Many senior citizens who have joint pains are advised to walk in water by their physiotherapist because water is easier on the joints. You weigh less in the water and are able to move more easily,” says Jeffery Vardon, who conducts water aerobics classes tailored for senior citizens.

Women doing aqua aerobics with Jeffery Vardon’s instructions at Hotel Savera.
| Photo Credit:
RAGU R

While older adults may face hurdles — from digital literacy and mobility issues to financial planning  — community outreach and tailored support systems can go a long way. As the lines between ageing and activity continue to blur, hobbies are proving to be tools for self-discovery, connection, and vitality. In reclaiming their time through curiosity, many older adults today are proving that retirement is not an end, but a return — to self, to community, and to all the things that make life feel full.