Margazhi utsavam

Even when one doesn't like Chennai for its climate, water problem and many more, there is one thing which i truly envy chennai for...
It is for the Music Season in Chennai.

It happens in the tamil month of Margazhi(மார்கழி),(15th Dec - 14th Jan) a month of Lord Krishna.

One of the items in my wishlist is to attend all possible concerts through the month, although, it is yet to be fulfilled... Where else in the world can one listen to the various artists and see the various forms of classical dance in a single city at a stretch of 30 continuous days...

Luckily on Sunday, for the first time, i had a chance to attend 2 dance renditions as part of the Dance festival-2009 in Music Academy, Chennai. The entry was free :) Quite a few foreigners among the crowd...

First was a Kathak performance by Prerana Shrimali followed by a Bharatanatyam performance by Meenakshi Srinivasan.

This is the first time i saw Kathak dance... Music was truly amazing. I am no great person when it comes to understanding the nuances of the dances, but i felt Kathak not to have elaborate mudras(gestures) as Bharatanatyam has...

Anyway, it was a true bliss for 3 hours...so peaceful and relaxed in listening to the music and seeing the dance, as if there are no problems in this world and life is great :)

Regarding the month of Margazhi, it is quite an auspicious month... so auspicious that the whole month is dedicated to the god himself and people do not celebrate any festivals or even have marriages in this month. The whole month is supposed to be spent in offering prayers to the god.

Here is an opinion about Margazhi Mystique and its warmth.
And a bit of history regarding this season in kutcheribuzz, a good site to track all concert info.