All the Other Festivals - in the city and suburbs
Musicians Living Abroad (MLA) is another fest that gives a platform for the many NRI musicians.
Guru Karaikudi Mani is behind it and concerts are on at Sri Parvati Hall on Eldams Road, Alwarpet. Artistes from Australia, USA, Sri Lanka. . . are featured.
Hamsadhawni, the sabha in Adyar in south Chennai started the NRI Fest concept and is hosting it this year too. There were dozens of early bird NRIs at the concerts that take place on the lawns of the Youth Hostel in Indira Nagar. The managers here have erected a permanent roof so you don't have to worry if it rains.
To mark the satabhishekam of Prof. T. R. Subramaniam, a fest is now on at the Gokhale Sastri Hall in Karpagambal Nagar, off Luz. Theme concerts. Open to all.
Traffic moves 'one way' in this area - so if you are at the gate of MFAC and want to reach this nagar you will have to go all the way via Sanskrit College, swing in at Luz and then enter the colony.
Sri Rama Bhakta Jana Samaj opened its fest at PSBB School in K K Nagar a few days ago, honouring vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan. There are 2 concerts every evening and are ticketed. Call 94444 17729. Caters to the larger Arcot Road neighbourhood in the western end of the city.
Another fest that opened is the Valayapatti Kaashyap Naadhalaya Fest. It used to be held at the AVM Rajeswari Mantap, then moved to Hema Malini Mantap and is now on at the Dharma Paripalana Sabha hall inside the campus of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Adyar. Concerts from 3 pm onwards daily.
Vipanchee is running its Fest at the R K Swamy auditorium in Mylapore. Mix of music and dance.Open to all.
The Bhakta Jana Sabha of Raja Annamalaipuram is also running a fest at its local hall. Single / double concerts are hosted.
Padma Sarangapani Cultural Academy opened its fest in Villivakkam, Features dance and music recitals. Another sabha that caters to the north western suburb.
Naada Inbam runs a low profile fest at its Raga Sudha hall on Luz Avenue, off Nageswara Rao Park. Cosy place to listen to music at hall founded by SVK, now no more.
As the rain came down in drizzles and later in sheets, the majestic Rajah Annamalai Manram auditorium fitted with illumination stood out on the edge of Parry's Corner.
Opening evening, as it has been for most sabha fests, was a wet one.
But the hall was packed - the strong tinge of fresh coat of paint hanging in the air.
This was a big day for Aruna Sairam. She was decorated with the Isai Peraringar award.
"I was here when I was a young girl," Aruna said in her acceptance speech.
"My dad brought me here and he showed me the portraits of all the awardees and told me that I should win it too."
Justice P. Sathasivam of the Supreme Court was the chief guest. Also present were retired judge Gokulakrishnan and A. C. Muthiah, Manram secretary.
This may be a cliche but it was also the occasion to restate this - that 'thamizh isai' existed ages before Carnatic music took root and form.
Though there were prizes for three dozen music students - winners in various contests that were held during the past year, the event was kept tight and ended on time.
Backstage, dozens and dozens of rasikas and fans crowded around Aruna to take keepsake pictures and get her autographs.
Vocalist Sirkazhi Chidambaram, who opened the fest concert later, also had his share of fans.
Outside, the rain fell in sheets. The bajji and poori, hot off the kitchen sold fast in the sabha canteen and the last of the shoppers scurried to the bus stand in the campus where the famed Fruit Market once existed to get home early.
Not the shoppers on Anderson Street where people bought Mumbai buntings, Royapuram stars and Chinese decorations for Christmas.
About December Season
News
