Madras, Music and Margazhi
Today is the first of December, and apart from it being the last month of the year, Christmas month, and the holiday season overall globally – there is one more happening that makes December so very special. For Indians, specially those living in the southern part of India will be much too familiar with the Chennai December Music Season.
Every year, without fail, the city throbs with life, music, people, culture, and food lasting for a fortnight. The readiness starts from today, with all the concert halls announcing its music and dance schedule for the season. And practically the who’s who of the Carnatic music world appear on stage to give one of the most riveting performances treating the diehard fans and listeners. As a close observer of this music season every year, attending it for almost 30 years it never fails to tire me and there is that anticipation and eagerness that lies unabated in every music lover like me. Today, it has come to be one of the largest cultural events of the world.
Picture Source: The Hindu
So, what makes the Chennai Music Season so memorable and so magical?
Origin:
It all began when an All-India Congress Session was held in Madras in December 1927, and along with this event a music conference was organized and that is where it all began. As an offshoot of this event several key personalities deliberated and decided to commence an institution (The Music Academy) that would keep the flag of Carnatic music alive, preserving its rich tradition and culture. From 1929, under the aegis of this newly formed institution the music conferences began to happen regularly bringing together artists and giving them a platform to perform. Over the years it has gathered steam, with sponsorships, people travelling from across the world to participate, new artistes emerging and a melee of other factors that has made it iconic and inspiring.
Music Academy – The Mecca of Music:
Picture Source: Madras Heritage
The music festival is synonymous with Music Academy which had its inception along with the All-India Congress Session. This institution is the seat bed for upholding the firm values of Carnatic Music and has standards par excellence. And every artists’ dream is to perform at the Music Academy as it is prestigious and premium. The Academy has stringent standards and refuses to dilute the quality, the attention to detail, the time management, the format and of course the selection of artists. The seating arrangement, the acoustics, the stage décor, the lighting and other infrastructure make listening to a concert an experience to look forward to.
Artistes:
Picture Source: The New Indian Express
Artistes PAN India and recently from across the world make a beeline to participate in this festival of dance, drama, and music. And the audience can be assured that they will get to hear, see, and experience the most sterling of performances from them. All the artistes’ practice through the year and plan so much and reserve their best performances for this time of the year. There is passion, vigour, and healthy competition and mastery over their chosen craft demonstrated with panache. Same stage that hosts veteran, senior musicians hosts young and budding talent thus paving way for everyone to showcase their innate talent.
Audience:
Picture Source: The Hindu
The devoted fans of music are the ones who make the music season memorable, magical and have increased its magnitude. They come from everywhere, the legions of fans who throng the city from foreign countries has risen steadily over the years. Each of them passionate about their favourite stars and keeping their fingers crossed that they will perform their favourite numbers and songs make it heart-warming. The foreign nationals who camp in the city to get a slice of the season is another admirable feature that has made the Chennai music festival an out of the world experience.
Decor:
Picture Source: The Music Academy
The listening experience at the Music Academy is a visual treat as well. Each year the stage décor is a feature that the audience watches out for and admires. The subtle shades, muted colours, traditional and ethnic designs that light up the stage provides an enhanced listening experience without interrupting the same. It is not just the Music Academy, but every other concert hall in the city arranges for an ethnic decoration to welcome the artists and the audience. Flowers, statues, pictures, stalls of books and CDs adorn the corridors of the concert halls, allowing for related shopping.
Food:
Picture Source: Pixabay
Weather:
Picture Source: Business Line
One of other reasons that contributes to the beauty of the Music season in Chennai, is the cool climate that prevails over the city during December. The city that is known for the sweltering heat all through the year, relaxes only during the November – December stretch allowing its citizens enjoy this short stint of cool and pleasant climate. What with Christmas holidays and families coming together allowing for more room to step out and enjoy a bit of music and marghazhi.
Silk
Picture Source: Lokvani.com
The silken splendour that is on display during the music season, with jasmine fragrance filling the air make it a sensory delight. Women come dressed in the best silk finery, adorning themselves with gold jewellery and flowers. So, the melodious strains of music from one end, smell of food from another side, and people hovering about dressed in their most beautiful outfits makes the ambience rich and riveting.
