Download APP for FREE
My friend, Ravi, is in Chennai now from Sydney solely for the purpose of experiencing the Chennai Maargazhi Music Season in person. I had requested him to share his views on the Music Season in the form of some Q&As.
Ravi, an original resident of Chennai has been living in Sydney for the past 13 years. He is an IT professional and volunteers in a Sydney-based Charity organization in his spare time. He is also working on his golfing skills now.
Here are the responses from Ravi
1. What is it like to be in Chennai during the Music Season?
It's a lovely atmosphere in every sabha , the audience seems to enjoy it . And of course, it provides great relief with cool airconditioning for house-wives and retirees during the mandatory power cuts :)
2. Which were the concerts that you enjoyed the most?
TMKrishna, DB Ashwin, Bombay Jaishri , Neyveli , Nisha, Yesudas , Aruna Sairam , OST
3. Do the senior artists do justice to their ranking?
For the most part, yes . Exception was Unnikrishnan who was a big drawcard but a bigger disappointment !
4. Who are the brightest stars amongst the juniors? What can be done to encourage them all the more?
DB Ashwin, Aiswarya Shankar, Vasudha Ravi, TNS Krishna , Sriranjani Santhanagopalan.
5. How good were the canteen facilities?
Music Academy , Narada GS and Parthasarathy Sabha had the best canteens , food of the highest quality .
6. What is your opinion about the amenities provided by the various sabhas? Are the facilities up to the mark and do they justify the cost of the tickets?
Karnataka Sangh and Narada GS were probably the worst for toilets and wash areas . The water was stagnant in the wash basins for 2 days in a row . Music Academy could boast of the best amenities of all sabhas !
7. What are the changes that you would like to suggest in the way in which the Music Season is now being conducted? Timing, venue, infrastructure...
I think there are too many venues , the logistics of sabha-hopping could be a pain most times. Plastic bucket seats for paid performances is a big NO NO . Some sabhas like Karnataka Sangh need a complete makeover to attract audiences . TV Sankaranarayanan's performance had only 1/3 of the hall full on a Fri evening 7 pm. I wouldn't go there next time in its current condition.
8. Would you like to suggest any changes in the kutcheri format?
No comment.
9. Did the artists give enough importance to the Thukkadas section?
Some did , I didn't stay till completion for all.
10. Did the Margazhi Music experience match up to your expectations?
Yes, it did .
11. Do you make it a point to attend concerts when musicians from India visit your place of living?
Yes, without fail.
12. As a rasika, would you like to come back again next year?
I wouldn't miss it for anything !
Geetha
17th October 2014: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award winner and well-known Carnatic Singer Thrikkodithanam Sachidanandan, 52, passed away.. Read more »
Singer Sudha Ragunathan was felicitated on Wednesday for being conferred the M.S. Subbulakshmi Sangita Kalanidhi award last year. At a functio.. Read more »
Swarnamalya Ganesh is a professional classical Bharatanatyam dancer with over 25 years of learning and experience. She is a senior disciple of .. Read more »
From December to January, we can expect a lot of bling that starts from decor to silk sarees. The story of #Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru begins as t.. Read more »
In The Hindu's special supplement - Curtain raiser to the Chennai Festival, that came out on Dec. 1, as usual, it was mentioned that the Seas.. Read more »
AIKYA 2013 on 31st March, 2013 Read more »
Nithyasree's comeback Read more »
A Concert of Sangeetha Kalaratna Smt, Suguna Purushothaman and her disciple K. Gayathri who came for vocal support. Unfortunately she had infl.. Read more »
Thodur Madabusi Krishna delivered an interesting concert in the company of Guru Karaikudi Mani on the mridangam, T.K.V.Ramanujacharyalu on the .. Read more »
Sastriyamum Cinemavum is a programme where a fusion of Carnatic music and raaga-based Thamizh cine music is done quite seamlessly. Read more »
Brightly dressed and cheerful-looking sisters Ranjani and Gayathri performed a wonderful concert on the 28th of December, 2012, in the company .. Read more »
Young and cheerful Abhishek Raghuram, student of Sri.P.S.Narayanaswami, presented a terrific three and a half hour concert on the 26th of Decem.. Read more »
It was traditional and classy. It was marked by grace and grandeur. Thodur Madabusi Krishna presented a soulful concert for Narada Gana Sabha o.. Read more »
S.J.Jananiy performed in Brahma Gana Sabha. She was accompanied on violin by Mrs.Jayanthi Kesav, on Mrudangam by Guru Ragavendra and Narasimhan.. Read more »
It is not enough if you are a top artist. You should also know the art concert management. One could sense this skill, very prominently, when T.. Read more »
Saint Namdev Maharaj – Musical Discourse by Sri Ganapthy Tukaram Maharaj – held at P.S. Higher Sec School Dhakshinamurthy Auditorium .. Read more »
Maestro Madurai T.N.Seshagopalan presented an enthralling concert on the 18th of December, 2012, in the company of Mannargudi Eswaran on the mr.. Read more »
She commenced with a Varnam in Ragam ‘Abheri’ and presented a Krithi by Dheekshidar in Raga ‘Sama’, which was crisp. To remind.. Read more »
The concert theme being ‘ Nalayira Dhivya Prabhandham’, Smt Kalpana commenced the concert with ‘ Marghazi Thingal’ – from Thirupavai –.. Read more »
Carnatic Music
From December to January, we can expect a lot of bling that starts from decor to silk sarees. The story of #Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru begins as t.. Read more »
In The Hindu's special supplement - Curtain raiser to the Chennai Festival, that came out on Dec. 1, as usual, it was mentioned that the Seas.. Read more »
Give a try to the Haldi / Turmeric / Manjal Ganesha, very easy and simple to make at home. All you need is to use the right quantity of.. Read more »
Saraswathi Pooja and Ayudha Pooja is one such important festival to our family, being a workaholic – more passionate about work – belie.. Read more »
Visarjan is one of the most important part of Vinayagar Chaturthi / Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Visarjan means “Immersing the idol o.. Read more »
Apr 16
Jan 25
Jan 21
Watermelon Rose Sharbat is an refreshing summer drink, prepared with full cream milk. Simple, tasty and quick to prepare in just few mins. B.. Read more »
shahjahani chicken biryani is one among the delicious, tasty and dum style biryani prepared in few mins. Very flavourful and has different text.. Read more »
Learn how to make Vangi bath (?????????? | ????????????? ?????) from scratch using homemade vangi bath masala in this video by Madraasi Deepa. .. Read more »
A heavy thunderstorm in Agra has wreaked havoc at the entrance of the Taj Mahal complex on Wednesday night. The wind’s speed had crossed 100 .. Read more »
Fruit salad is one of my favorite dessert. A very easy, simple, less time consuming but very healthy. When I get colourful fruits, I go for thi.. Read more »
Bhubneshwar: Respecting women is still a ‘unobtainium’ in India. The video uploaded by the girl, who was molested by an old man sitting behind .. Read more »
