Come December and its Margazhi Music Season in Chennai

The advent of December heralds the grand and oldest music festival season in Asia, the Margazhi Carnatic Music season in Chennai. Music lovers are in for a treat. They make a beeline for the various venues waiting to be entranced by well known musicians who present their brilliant repertoire. I am in Chennai for five days and I want to make the most of it. My feet drag me to the venue of the inauguration of the music season at Brahma Gana Sabha by the Governer of Tamil Nadu. The function was to be followed by a concert by the tremendously talented vocalist, Abhishek Raghuram. For the uninitiated, Abhishek is the grandson of the legendary Mridangam artist, Palghat Raghu and has a connection with the violin maestro, Lalgudi S. Jayaraman on his maternal side. With these genes, it is not at all surprising that Abhishek is one the most talented musicians of the present generation. As usual, the audience was treated to some majestic ragam alapanai and breathtaking kalpana swaras.  His rendering of the ‘Bhavayami Raghuramam’ was the cream on the cake, to be relished and cherished by the music fans. I had another reason for making it to the Brahma Gana Sabha inauguration ceremony. They release their booklet which contains relevant details of all concerts held by the various Sabhas for the entire season. This makes it easy for a visitor with a short span of time at their disposal to pick and choose the concerts by the artists of their choice.

The ready reckoner for Chennai Music Season 

The second day, I chose to go to Kamarajar Arangam, where Sheshank was to give a flute recital. The concert was really good but I was astonished by the sparse audience that would not have numbered more than a couple of hundreds in a hall that has a capacity of more than a thousand.

Sheshank on Flute

The genius of Sheshank’s music saved the day, though it set me wondering about the lack of interest displayed by the younger generation in Carnatic music. But that illusion was partially set right, when I attended the concert of the Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna the next day.

Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna

 Though the audience was predominantly of the older generation, there were some youngsters in the audience giving their undivided attention to the exquisite nuances, great voice range and purity of music displayed by the young artist. 
The concert by Sid Sriram on the following day had maximum youngsters in the audience probably because he is a well known musician in movie circles too.    

The fifth day was a veritable musical treat. I had the occasion to hear both Vishaka Hari’s stunning musical discourse as well as Abhishek Raghuram’s brilliant concert, both at the same venue one after the other organized by Kartik Fine Arts.

Vishaka Hari's mesmerising discourse

Vishaka Hari’s mellifluous voice and her ability to engage the audience is well known. Her topic for the day was on the ‘Panchabootha Sthalas’ and her rendering was a wonderful experience. Abhishek Raghuram is exceptional. No other word can describe his brilliance. His research, the way he improvises, the range, the voice and the mastery over the ragas all make him a favourite with the audience, who, time and again, give him a standing ovation. This made my day. 

Abhishek Raghuram in concert

My disappointment with the audience on the second day was more than made up for by the almost houseful audience for Vishaka Hari and Abhishek Raghuram.

Having had the opportunity to personally experience the thrill of the Margazhi Music Season, albeit for a very short span, I leave Chennai with reluctance as there is so much more in store for music connoisseurs. But I am happy that the platform provided by Margazhi music season for Carnatic music is not getting trapped in stagnation and still going strong, thanks to the young and exceptionally talented artists.

   

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