Chennai’s annual music conference is unique

To start with, that is that one a part of the yr when the climate is tolerable within the southern metropolis. Chennaiites take their winter significantly, going round in ear muffs and mufflers when the temperature dips to 23 levels Celsius and the humidity is low. Within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, that period earlier than air-conditioning, this was when the British Raj organised its seminars and exhibitions in Madras. The Congress celebration, too, when it needed to meet within the metropolis, did so in December. And so it was in 1927. That yr, there was a distinction — a convention and a collection of concert events on South Indian classical, aka Carnatic music, was organised to run in parallel to the celebration meet. This was successful, and from the proceeds of the ticket gross sales, it was determined to discovered an academy for music within the metropolis. The Music Academy, Madras, thus got here into existence and started to conduct an annual collection of music occasions in December, with mornings dedicated to discussions on the artwork. The programmes started on Christmas eve and continued until January 1.

Over the primary twenty years, the Music Academy was joined within the December music season by others, such because the Indian Wonderful Arts Society and the Tamil Isai Sangam. By the Nineteen Seventies, extra organisations joined in, a few of which held programmes and performances all year long whereas others got here to life solely in December after which went again into hibernation. These are the sabhas, the cultural organisations that maintain the classical arts flying. Steadily, the length of the season widened — it started early in December and continued effectively into January, although the Music Academy nonetheless sticks to its schedule of a pageant between December 15 and January 1, the final day that includes a quaint convocation named the sadas when artistes and students are honoured for his or her contribution to the artwork.

Operating in parallel to the music and dance is the sabha canteen; every of the venues has a caterer who provides conventional vegetarian South Indian fare — breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso (and tea) and snacks. This was at one time meant for concertgoers who spent virtually the entire day listening and watching performances — in true South Indian type, the day on the sabhas begins at 7 am or so and continues until 10 pm, with performances around the clock. However to many foodies, that is after they can go sabha hopping simply to pattern the meals on supply. This has additionally been an entry level to the humanities themselves — many come to eat after which linger to savour the performances, and progressively get hooked. However to others, it’s only a meals pageant, with some unusual music and dance programmes hooked up. No matter it’s, it brings in individuals.

Earlier than you run away with the concept it is a carnival of kinds with tens of millions collaborating, let me guarantee you that these are area of interest arts with a fan following of most likely simply over 100,000 within the metropolis, of which most likely one-fifth makes it to the venues. The statistics of the particular variety of organisations placing up programmes can differ broadly, however a protected estimate could be round 20, providing about 500 performances in all, with a mean attendance of about 300 individuals at every. On a great day, round 5,000 individuals can be attending performances. Small numbers maybe, however when you think about that that is Indian classical artwork, with a small following, the report is spectacular — the season has been happening for 96 years, completely funded by non-public initiative, authorities involvement being (fortunately) non-existent. A number of years in the past, Chennai, together with Jaipur and Varanasi, was awarded the inventive metropolis tag by Unesco, solely no one knew what to do with it. The December music season had obtained alongside with out this for 9 a long time anyway.

What makes commerce tick? Actually not ticket gross sales. However advertisers do are available — this after they can goal a really slim and particular shopper group of upper-middle and upper-class middle-aged and senior residents, with many non-resident Indians thrown in for good measure. As well as, companies view supporting the classical arts as a part of their company social accountability pledges. Above all, budgets, in true South Indian type, are modest at finest — a sliver of the large remunerations paid to some Hindustani artistes. The artwork stays accessible.

So, in case you are in Chennai in December, do drop in at one of many sabhas. Within the morning, you may hearken to scholarly displays on the humanities, and in the course of the day, you may catch performances from the younger and the seniors. The junior performances are often free, and people of the veterans, which occur within the night, are ticketed. The meals pageant aside, there can be a number of fringe occasions — heritage walks, talks, picture exhibitions with music and dance as the main focus, and lots of chamber performances, which most likely showcase the humanities at their finest. And there can be a number of conversations on the humanities — over espresso.

In an period when a number of avenues for leisure exist, Chennai’s platform for the humanities in December stays distinctive. The aficionados sit up for it, and be it the Music Academy or a small room in a employed venue, high-quality music and dance get focus.

Sriram V is secretary, Music Academy, Madras, and the convenor of its annual December Music Convention The views expressed are private