If you have any query on the December Season 2005, this is the place to be. Mail us your queries and we'll provide the answers. And any of you who may have an answer to questions posted here, can also post your suggestions here. This section networks all those who are part of the December season.

Here are some of some frequently asked queries about the December Season and tips we have provided.You are welcome to ask us specfic queries which will be answered in this column:

When are the entire programmes for the December Season made public? When can we get details?

The December Season of music and dance covers concerts hosted by diffrent sabhas (arts organisations) in many parts of the city of Chennai. The best concerts and festivals are generally held between the second week of December (from around 11th) to the first week of January. However some sabhas begin their fests as early as late November.
In January, most sabhas host exclusive dance fests which may go on till about
January 20.
As and when details are released, this web site will post them.

Is there special transport for this festival season?

he city does not run buses specially for the season. Autos are your best bet but the drivers often demand fancy fares. If you get a fair idea of the auto fare from hotel desks or friends, then you can convince the drivers to settle for them. Most festivasl are held in the Mylapore and T. Nagar / Mambalam areas.

When can we get detailed concert schedules?

While sabhas finalise the main artistes by September, they have to juggle with the accompanists. And hence, sabhas make public their concerts schedule in late November and these will be posted only then.

Can you arrange cultural tours for groups which are in Chennai for the December Season?

At present, we are not aware of anyone who hosts such a tour. But KutcheriBuzz has ideas to help organise such a tour for young artistes/tourists from outside Chennai in December. Look out for details on this web site.

Which are the most suitable hotels to stay and attend concerts?

Hotel Karpagam is the nook for artistes as well as guests. Its a simple, budget hotel, near the Sri Kapali Temple. Staying here will allow you to get a 'feel' of Mylapore life. And it it close to many sabhas.
The better hotels are Savera, Woodlands, Shelter, Sangeetha and Nilgiris Nest. All these are close to the venues but their rates can range from Rs.800 to Rs.2000. Most of them are booked in advance!.

The Music Academy's programmes are said to be the best selection. Can we get season tickets?

Yes, the best artistes are always featured at The Music Academy. But the Academy does not market season tickets. It offers on sale daily tickets which need to be bought a few hours before the concerts. You can request the Academy office for special needs. It is advisable to queue up in the lobby for concerts featuring the best.

Can we meet leading artistes at the halls?

There are no formal face-to-face sessions with the artistes that are arranged at the halls. Rasikas like you have to be content with saying 'hello' backstage after a concert.

Is this a good time to also shop for music albums?

At least two huge sales of music albums are held at central locations in Chennai where even discounts are offered on many albums.
The AVM-promoted sale, usually held at Sri Sankara Hall in Alwarpet (near Narada Gana Sabha) presents products of all music companies.

When does the dance fest at Mahabalipuram (Mammallapuram) commence?

This fest is hosted by the state-run Tourism Department at the seaside and heritage site of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), some 54 kms from Chennai city. It normally begins in mid-December and ends in early January. Bharatanatyam, Kuchpudi, Odissi and Mohiniattam dances are presented every evening. The shows are ticketed and tickets can be bought at the venue. The setting is great and open air. If you plan to get back to the city, you can catchlocal buses or drive back. A bus trip takes about one hour...

Are there any free concerts during December?

Some sabhas host concerts to which admission is free. You need to look up the daily newspapers to locate those.

Where do we get information about the daily concerts?

The Hindu', a leading daily English newspaper, carriies adverts on all the leading concerts. KutcheriBuzz also brings out a smart GuideBook which is out by Dec.1 and can be had from the office.

Here are some of the queries received at KutcheriBuzz:

* I would like to know if the shedule for Dec. 2005 Kutcheri season is available and if so how I can find it online. Does the music festival go in to January as well ?

Jamuna Venkataraman - Cataloguing Technician
Richmond Campus Library
Kwantlen University College

Answer:

Hi Jamuna

The season related concerts take off in late November - that is because there are to many 'seasonal' sabhas who present them.
The best of the shows are between Dec.13 and January 1 as far as music goes.
From Jan 1 to 20, the seaon is dominated by dance concerts but there are spl music concerts too at the odd places.

But since most well known artistes perform at 13 concerts, often in a row, they end up with tired voices and dry throats!
We suggest you check in bet Dec 11 and Dec.31.

Most sabhas release their schedules only in late Nov.
But you can get tickets to all concerts easily.

Please refer our special section on the Dec. season featured on the home page of our web site.

And do let more people know of all the buzz.
We are keen to make the December Season known around the world.

KB Team
Chennai,India

* Can you please advise when the 2005 program will be available and when we can purchase tickets for selected events.

Maria Galipoli

Answer:

Hi
I guess you mean the December season of Carnatic music and dance in Chennai (Madras), Details will be on this site from end Nov. but you can easily get tickets when you are here. No need to book in advance really. Keep visiting this site

KB Team
Chennai,India

* Can you send me some details on the December Season. I want to visit Chennai this year in December. I was with my wife in the year 1985/86 in Chennai and we visited this festival.

Kind regards
Leo Horlacher
Switzerland

* My name is Jamuna Venkataraman and we live in Canada. We are planning to come to India in Dec. 2005. We would appreciate if you could let us know of the itinerary for Dec. 2005 carnatic music season in Chennai. We are looking forward to being there for the 2005 season. 
Thanks very much in advance. 

Jamuna Venkataraman - Cataloguing Technician
Richmond Campus Library
Kwantlen University College

Answer:

The December Season of music and dance is usually between the second week of December (from around 14th) to the first week of January. However some sabhas begin their fests as early as Dec 1st and in January, most sabhas host exclusive dance fests which may go on till about January 20.
We're yet to receive the details of the December Season. As and when we get them we should be poting them on our website.
Meanwhile, we will also bring out a Season guide book with the kutcheri schedules. Details on this will also be up on our website soon.

Do keep a tab on our website for the sabha schedules, which will be posted as and when we get them.