In Chennai, an old-fashioned activity is experiencing a revival among young people.
For Ananya, a student, knitting new scarves with her mother has become a regular ritual, all thanks to Gen Z influencers posting about it on social media. That instilled in Ananya and the idea came to fruition. “I am not as handy as my mother so crocheting is quite a challenge, but I have found the hobby very rewarding,” says Ananya.
Similarly, Shafiq, a 24-year-old AI strategy consultant, visited a century-old mango juice shop in Chennai that he discovered online, a nostalgic sight. “Cafes and shopping malls have become overcrowded and redundant. Old-fashioned places like this have a special charm now,” he says.
Historically, trends tend to go in cycles. For example, bell-bottom jeans were a fashion statement born in the 1960s and 1970s, then resurfaced in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and in recent years. However, Gen Z influencers seem to be fuelling a revival of this nostalgic hobby, breathing new life into what some may deem “tacky.” Shriya Siddhartha, an MBA student from Indian Institute of Technology Madras, has been incorporating old-school vibes into her online feed, including doodling, handwritten letters, museum visits, and curating board games. When asked why Gen Z is turning to nostalgic activities, Shriya responds, “It’s to find balance in an increasingly digital world. Many of these activities encourage in-person interactions and moments of unplugging, which can be refreshing.”
Another Gen Z influencer, Poushali Pammi, a final-year marketing management student from the city, echoes the same sentiments about creating old-fashioned content. She says the urge to reconnect with simple pleasures comes from our fast-paced world. “Museums really calm me down and it’s fun to be a beginner and learn from scratch. When influencers redefine what is cool by normalizing and celebrating these hobbies, it challenges outdated perceptions and inspires others to embrace their interests without the fear of criticism,” says Poushali.
And some Gen Zers are looking to connect with trends and hobbies from the 1980s and 1990s, not just because they want a break from the constant screen time that’s a form of escapism, but also because they want to bond with their families. “Museum dates and other hobbies from the past can be an opportunity for Gen Zers to forge stronger bonds with their parents and grandparents and share more experiences together,” says Shriya.
Speaking about their social media following, Poushali says it has inspired many to try these hobbies for the first time, and Ananya agrees: “Honestly, I would never have come up with the idea. [crocheting] Neither would my mother, and I’m sure many others who participate in the activities that older generations did, if it weren’t for the reels.”
When talking about old-fashioned cameras, film cameras are hard to miss; they are the object of many aspirations. “I often use film cameras, so I can get a glimpse into what it was like in my parents’ time. This joy of discovery never fades,” adds Poushali. Perhaps in the digital age, it’s this younger generation that is leading the return to the past, making old-fashioned cameras the new cool thing.
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