Think of it as Chennai’s own Brazilian Carnival, if you will. The scale, the glamour, the frenzy and the crowds could well give Brazil a run for its money. But the similarities end there. Where Latin America may well celebrate with parades, opulent street dances and flashy feathers, the Chennai Music Season is about cultural sophistication, of gorgeous Kanjeevaram
saris and diamonds; of mellifluous Carnatic music of
ragas,
sabhas and
kutcheris. If you’re a music aficionado, you should probably be heading to Chennai this December for the six-week long Chennai Music Season, a time when the whole city is in the grip of a cultural frenzy.
Of Historical Beginnings
The
Chennai Music Season is as old as the Indian National Movement. The very first season was actually held in the shadow of the Chennai session of the Indian National Congress in 1927. This was also the time when the iconic Chennai Music Academy came into existence. From those humble beginnings to the music festival of today, this event has come a long way and has been organised each year since 1928. As the event diversified, it evolved from a mere musical conference or concert into a mega cultural event which included music, dance, drama and other non-performing arts too. Today, the Chennai Music Season attracts as many as 1800 musical concerts and nearly 400 dance performances in a single season! This means that there are nearly 100 different performances held in the city every day. Spoiled for choice? We’d say so!
A number of beautiful Indian dance forms are showcased at the event including Kuchipudi
Of Ragas and Mudras
To say that this event is popular would be stating the obvious, indeed it is said to be one of the world’s largest
cultural events. It attracts thousands of enthusiasts from across the country and a horde of international tourists too. The performances or
kutcheris (Carnatic music concerts) are organised by various
sabhas which not only organise these performances and concerts but also bestow artistes with titles and awards. Each
sabha usually owns a concert hall (large or small) where the performance takes place to a packed audience. The performances range from vocals to playing of the
sitar,
sarod, violin,
sarangi,
tabla and
santoor as well as a number of talented dance performances –
Bharatnatyam,
Kathakali,
Kuchipudi,
Manipuri and others. Evidently, established and budding talent from across the country and overseas comes here to perform. Among the prominent names that have figured in the long list of artistes who have graced the event are Yamini Krishnamurthy, Zubin Mehta, Sudha Raghunathan, Shobhna and Sonal Mansingh. With so much happening you can well plan for days and do nothing but hop from one
sabha to another on an unforgettable musical journey. There are individual and season tickets available.
Dancers performing the enchanting Manipur dance
Chilling In and Around Chennai
Now that you are in Chennai, you may as well make the most of it by exploring the city too. Visit its many attractions – National Art Gallery, Vivekananda House, Valluvar Kottam, the iconic ISKCON Temple, and Santhome Cathedral Basilica. You must also visit its wonderful beaches; Marina, Elliot and the aptly named, Breezy beach! There are also several places within easy driving distance or short flights away from Chennai, which make for great weekend getaways and longer trips. These include
Mahabalipuram, Mysore,
Ooty,
Kodaikanal, Kabini and
Hampi.
Marina Beach, one of the most popular tourists spots in Chennai | Photo Credit: L.vivian.richard / Wikimedia
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