Chennai's Carnatic stars reveal Margazhi prep rituals
Chennai's Carnatic stars reveal Margazhi prep rituals
As Margazhi arrives, Chennai's leading Carnatic musicians share how they prepare—from meditation to reviving timeless kritis.
Margazhi season in Chennai is unfolding with a blend of reverence and renewal. A marquee event titled Marvellous Margazhi, conceptualised by Lakshmi and Saraswathi of Event Art, graced Radisson Blu GRT, offering a canvas where tradition meets contemporary curiosity. The atmosphere was punctuated by quiet preparation—breath work, meditation, and revisiting timeless kritis—to ensure each note lands with clarity and emotion.
The evening also offered unexpected moments of warmth and spontaneity. The legendary Dhananjayans took the stage for an impromptu performance, while revered vocalists Aruna Sairam and Sudha Ragunathan shared the mic and the memories with legendary danseuse Padma Subrahmanyam. It felt like a dream team moment—artists from different generations and disciplines converging to celebrate a shared devotion to music.
Creativity is entering the Margazhi fold in new ways. Lakshmi pointed out that this season welcomed performers from folk and jazz traditions onto the ramp, signaling a broader celebration of artists across genres. This openness to cross-pollination reflects a larger shift in Chennai’s sabhas, where audiences crave both deep tradition and fresh, inclusive experiences.
As Margazhi continues to evolve, the season is shaping up as much more than a series of concerts. It’s a space where meditation precedes performance, where timeless kritis are revived with new energy, and where the city witnesses a dialogue between the old and the new. The winds of change here aren’t erasing the heritage; they’re amplifying it for a broader, more diverse audience.
Cover image source: AI and the evolving landscape of Chennai’s Margazhi Season 🔗
