Over the past ten days, Chennai has been nothing short of a whirlwind of cultural exuberance. From the excitement of the T20 Cricket World Cup to the introspective drama festivals and the centenary celebrations, Pallavi Darbar, and new dance productions, Chennai's cultural calendar has offered something for everyone.

Audiences have turned out in impressive numbers, filling venues. What stood out was the diversity and richness of the programs and the enthusiastic participation of a community eager to embrace the arts in all their forms. Noteworthy advancements in technical capabilities, including the integration of AI, have enhanced the quality of productions, replacing traditional flex backdrops with more dynamic and immersive experiences.

Corporate sponsorship has significantly supported some of these events, underscoring their importance in the local cultural landscape. The importance of live events in fostering a sense of camaraderie and community cannot be overstated. Amidst the digital age's allure, there remains irreplaceable magic in witnessing performances firsthand, and the balance between live and digital experiences remains a pertinent topic of discussion. Despite the convenience of online viewing, the tangible energy and connection forged in live settings continue to hold a special place in Chennai's cultural identity.

Join us as we explore the highlights of Chennai's recent cultural offerings.

Korukkupet comes alive

Band Cooum, the eclectic musical collective from Chennai, ignited Korukkupet with their exhilarating debut concert on 28 June. Featuring vocalist Susha, violinist Shreya Devnath, percussionist Praveen Sparsh, and parai artists Deepan and 'Rocket' Rajendran, the band seamlessly blended Carnatic ragas with North Madras culture, captivating a diverse audience from children to enthusiasts. Their performance showcased infectious energy and vibrant melodies, resonating deeply with Korukkupet's community. Mixing folk, Carnatic, independent, and electronic music, Band Cooum celebrated Chennai's cultural richness with original compositions that bridged generations and musical tastes, making the evening a memorable ode to the city's soul.

Ekadasa Vishnum

Ekadasa Vishnum premiered at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, on 29 June 2024. Conceptualised and produced by Asha Krishnakumar, with music composed by Rajkumar Bharathi and choreography by senior dancer Sheela Unnikrishnan, this dance drama is a striking addition to Sheela's extensive repertoire known for vibrant choreography and intricate group formations. The audience was transported to the eleven Vishnu temples near Sirkazhi, collectively called the Tirunangur Divya Desams, which share a legend of Lord Vishnu calming an angered Siva and taking eleven forms. Rich in traditions and rituals, these temples are best known for the grand 11 Garuda Seva festival in January-February.

Ekadasa Vishnum celebrated these temples through the journey of Tirumangai Azhvar and his wife Kumudavalli, highlighting the stories and legends of each temple. Featuring over 60 dancers from Sridevi Nrithyalaya, the production impressed with its impeccable music, choreography, and set design.

Bhakti and Music

Sangeetha Gnanamu' is an initiative by Raghavan, Sivakumar, Balaji, and Vinodh aimed at celebrating and respecting Carnatic music's bhakti and dharmic roots. The inaugural event, held on 29 June 2024 at TAG Dhakshinamurthy Auditorium, featured the public oath-taking of the Carnatic music pledge, led by nagaswara vidwan Mambalam Siva and the vocal duo vidhushis Ranjani and Gayatri. The ceremony was graced by the chief guest, S. Gurumurthy, Editor of Tuglak, and included significant contributions from S. Vaidhyasubramaniam of the SASTRA group and connoisseur Ramaswamy Narayanan. The evening concluded with a concert by Palghat Ramprasad, accompanied by Raghul (violin), Mannargudi Easwaran (mridangam), and K.V. Gopalakrishnan (khanjira). Ramprasad's music is filled with sarva laghu swara prasthatharas and measured arithmetic. Melodic content and adherence to aspects like niraval elaboration is high with vivid imagination and flourish.

That evening, instead of singing raga alapana, he sang brilliant viruttams that preceded the songs. The concert started with the poignant Sivalokanathanai Kandu Sevithiduvom by Gopalakrishna Bharathi. The song was sung in full measure with a nice neraval, swara prasthara and was followed by Devaki Nanda Mukunda in Hamsanadam, a Purandaradasa kriti tuned by Ramprasad himself. The main piece was Sangeetha gnanamu bhakti vina, a song apt for the evening's theme. The musical conversation between the artists was of an academic and melodic order at the same time. He finished the concert with Haridasulu Vedale by Tyagaraja in Yamuna Kalyani.

Carnatify: Harmonising Diversity

Have you ever imagined hearing a Saramati or a Sankarabharanam when you listened to the Pirates of the Caribbean or Jurassic Park? At the 'Carnatify' event hosted by Samuditha Foundation on 30 June 2024, this imaginative fusion came to life as students from Kalashiksha School ingeniously blended Carnatic ragas with melodies from Hollywood, Italian Folk, and Chinese music. Held at the Narada Gana Sabha auditorium, the event captivated the audience with seamless renditions of iconic themes such as 20th Century Fox, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, amongst others. This innovative initiative not only showcased the foundation's dedication to making Carnatic music accessible but also celebrated its universal language through creative musical interpretations.

Harikesanjali

Harikesanjali Trust and Narada Gana Sabha Trust held the 79th aradhana event dedicated to well-known Carnatic music composer Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar on 30 June at the Narada Gana Sabha hall. Senior Bharatanatyam dancer Srekala Bharath and her students paid homage to composer Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar at Narada Gana Sabha's mini hall. They began with Tudikkaikkuriya (Poornachandrika) and a daru varnam in Vasanta, Sannutangi, featuring intricate trikala jatis and dynamic sollukattus. Highlighting Bhagavatar's dedication to Goddess Chamundeswari, they performed compositions like Nidu mahima pogada na tarama Rama in Hamsanandi and Aandavan dharishaname in Jonpuri, along with other kritis and a tillana. Despite space constraints, their flawless choreography, supported by Padma Raghavan on nattuvangam, Preeti Sethuraman on vocals and percussion, and K.R. Venkatasubramanian and Durga on violin, created a memorable evening of Bharatatyam and musical finesse.

After the dance performance, the trust also awarded prizes to the winners of the annual Bhavani Nagarathnam Muthiah Bhagavathar music competition.

Sita – a film by Apsaras Arts

Five paintings of Raja Ravi Varma inspired Apsaras Arts Dance Company's digital production of SITA, which brought these artworks to life through dance. The film premiered in India on 30 June 2024 at the Tagore Film Centre, Chennai. The film offered a glimpse into the character of Sita, who often played a silent role in the Ramayana and inviting viewers to ponder her inner thoughts.

The production, conceived and executed by Aravinth Kumarasamy during the pandemic, seamlessly blended technology with dance, utilising digital CGI and remote coordination between Singapore and India, with all locally-made costumes. The music of Rajkumar Bharathi, featuring lines from Kamba Ramanayana, enhanced the emotional depth of the narrative, complemented by sound production from Sai Shravanam. Sita's voice resonated soulfully through the singing of Bombay Jayashri, adding an evocative layer to the performance.

Pallavi Darbar

The Pallavi Darbar, the brainchild of musician and organiser K.N. Sashikiran, has consistently showcased unique pallavis in rare talas. From rising talents to seasoned artists, the Darbar has been a platform for exceptional solo performances and well-curated artist combinations, offering a rich experience for rasikas. This year was no exception. Performances by Abhishek Raghuram, Shruti Sagar, Amrutha Venkatesh, Vishnudev Namboothiri, and Ramana Balachandran, amongst other musicians, marked the event as a resounding success in both presentation and audience turnout.

From the group performance by Spoorthi Rao, Swarthmika, Charulatha (veena), Vishwas Hari (mandolin), and Hariharan (mridangam), who presented a pallavi set in a newly named tala, Pallavi Darbar to Ramana's trikala pallavi Arunachalane Karunakarane Ramana Guruve and the Dharmavati - Chatusra Ata tala pallavi by Abhishek Raghuram and Shruti Sagar, each artist dedicated significant effort to their preparation for this series.

Other remarkable performances included a double duet by vocalists Anahita and Apoorva with flautists Hemanth and Herambha, the trio, Abhilash Giriprasad, Akshay Padmanabhan, and Vivek Sadasivam, presented Tristayi – cube maze pallavi, exploring the concept of three (in raga and nadai. K. Gayatri's presentation of a multi-nadai and kalam pallavi and her exploration of marga talas and different nadais (2, 4, 6, 8) in the utharangam showcased her exceptional precision despite the complexity. The festival, celebrating pallavis and talas, posed numerous challenges to the musicians, who worked tirelessly to deliver flawless performances. Sashikiran's keen eye for talent and adept curation, assigning the right concepts to each musician, were evident throughout the four days of intricate calculations and exquisite music.

Describing each concept presented at the four-day festival in detail cannot capture the effort and brilliance showcased by the artists. This level of artistry needs to be witnessed and experienced in person.

A tribute to Prof C.V. Chandrasekhar

On 19 June 2024, the world of Bharatanatyam lost one of its brightest stars, Prof. CV Chandrasekhar (CVC). In a heartfelt memorial event organised on 4 July 2024 by Natyarangam, the dance wing of Narada Gana Sabha, admirers and students gathered to remember and celebrate the life of this legendary dancer.

The evening opened with a dhyana sloka, with S. Janaki, committee member Natyarangam and emcee of the evening, welcoming the guests and sharing her insights on Prof. CVC. Sujatha Vijayaraghavan, also a committee member, captured the essence of his humility and dedication. She shared anecdotes from his participation in their thematic festival and annual dance camps at Thennangur, highlighting his tireless energy and love for dance, especially angika.

Senior Bharatanatyam dancer Malavika Sarukkai described her profound interactions with Prof. CVC, noting his generosity of spirit and simplicity during their collaborative sessions. His student, Praveen Kumar, spoke of him as a father figure and his versatility in teaching students from diverse backgrounds. Prof. CVC's daughter, Manjari delivered an emotional tribute to her father, the extraordinary dancer and teacher. The event featured a film by SBS Raman, showcasing clips of Prof. CVC's singing and dance performances, bringing his spirit alive in the room.

This memorial by Natyarangam was a heartwarming tribute, celebrating the music and dance of Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar and ensuring that his legacy will live on through the art he so passionately loved.