Entertainers should become Enablers:

R. Seshasayee told city-based pianist Anil Srinivasan, a year back, that contemporizing an art form does not mean its destruction.

 “Critical masses” cannot be achieved without diversifying the manner of presentation. Innovations in the format of presentation, rather than be condemned as ‘debasing’ the classical tradition, should be seen as means to attracting different types of listeners. Once hooked, the listener will start on his or her own quest towards the substance of the musical form.

Today both young and seasoned artists come with different packages during the season to make the audience get their share of enjoyment. The challenge lies in formatting in such a way that the original essence of achieving spiritual realization does not get diluted. 

The likes of T M Krishna and Sanjay Subrahmanyan are towards such an endeavor.

As we move on, we need to see how many youngsters are able to get their fair deal when it comes to opportunities.  While we talk about “enabling and empowering” as a major management tool for organization goals the same should be used by sabha’s and senior artist to enable youth play a dominant role in the classical music. 

How many young artists have come out of the Sanjay’s stable or TMK’s stable will be the new benchmarks as their individual credentials are well established. 

Students such as Prashanth Viswanathan, Swarna Rethas, Sandeep Narayan, and Prasanna Venkatraman from Guru Sanjay will be keenly watched.

 Similarly TMK’s initiative through Kalachara Marumalarchi, an organization dedicated to the revival of cultural activities in the interior towns and villages of Tamil Nadu will be a phenomenal effort, if it yields the desired result.

Going forward the rasikas will look for such impacts created by these legends than their own personal performances.

Change is the only thing that will exist in the system and the new comers will have to search towards innovation and the stakeholders in the system should support for the cause.

We cannot become averse to changes in this “format” especially if it aids both the performer and the listener.

Welcome Music Season 2013 - Lets look for excellence in music

The high voltage emotions of Sachin Tendulkars retirement from all formats of the game will slowly tapper off and Viswanathan Anands lackluster performance also will take out  what so ever attention and now we have a new season to begin sooner .

The Music Season 2013 will slowly attract attention and the media will also start aligning to the buzz, The sabha's and Kutcheries and artist's and the specialties of this year will all come into play during  major part of December.

T M Krishna has posted his schedules in his blog and you may not be  seeing  him in Music Academy this time, He seams to be doing away with webcast also, which means rasikas outside will be deprived off.. Hope he changes his mind.

Young singer Subhiksha Rangarajan will receive the award Isai Chudar from Karthik Fine Arts.


Chennai Fine Arts hosts its annual music festival with a special theme every year. This year, the fest will feature the compositions of Veena Seshanna, Badrachala Ramadas, Mannagudi Sambasiva Bhagavathar, Annamacharya, Tadepalli Subramanya Sastri, Arunachala Kavi, Manambuchavadi Venkatasubbayya presented by senior artistes.

 The Chennai Music Season will  offer a series of features capturing the spirit and substance of the season: we will present in these pages young talent emerged or just emerging on the concert stage as well as veterans who have returned year after year for the sheer joy of performing before a knowledgeable and appreciative audience. A list of interesting concerts for rasikas, a long-felt need, will be offered this time. We will also try to capture the lighter side of the festival.

The critical factor is "What value adds" sabha's are going to offer beyond food and snack delicacies?

While customer delight happens through high quality concerts but then to attract audience what innovations are happening will be keenly noticed.

Seasons are no more an entertainment. There is competetion. There is performance evaluation and there is survival and growth for artist. How sabha's and artist's are going to focus on the area of excellence and bring admiration will be a great challenge?

Look out for more in the coming days

Hello World!!

About December Music Season:

This is the world's biggest cultural festival featuring the rendezvous of artistes, listeners, students and organizations. Over the years, this has become an indispensable part of our culture. During the month of December every year, Chennai's troposphere enchants under the effects of the classical music.

About this blog:

This is a unique initiative of Marggo India. This blog features highlights about the last December music season and would delve into what could be the possible highlights of the season 2013.

This blog also seeks to encourage discussions amongst the musicians and music lovers and thereby enable one and all to ideate on how to add value to the field of carnatic classical music.

Happy reading!