food and music
Veena artiste Nirmala Rajasekhar has performed at many unusual venues – such as a classroom, an open air theatre, college campuses and a state fair in the US. But for this Carnatic veena player, who has one foot in Minnesota and the other in Mylapore, a key Margazhi moment of this season happened at the Southern Spice restaurant inside the prestigious Taj Coromandel hotel in Nungambakkam, Chennai.
At Margazhi Sangamam, an event organized by the hotel to celebrate this music month, Nirmala moved into ragas like Nattakurunji, Amritvarshini, before launching into a Bharatiyar composition and some original tracks.
The setting was different, the music was the same.
Veena artiste Nirmala Rajasekhar and team performing at Southern Spice, Taj Coromandel. Photo Credit: Johan Satyadas
“We learn a lot from where we perform,” says the Kalaimamani awardee, who was accompanied by her daughter Shruti Rajasekhar (keys), Ikshel (electronic music) and D Chandrajith (tabla), “It is very interesting to see the audience. pleasure to.” Took good care of us and made us feel welcome. Someone in the audience even asked us to play the same piece twice.
The chef at Southern Spice prepared a special menu for the performances and other musical evenings during Sangamam (27–30 December). This includes, among other things, Manathakali Vathal Kuzhambu, Arachuvitta sambar and Jawavarisi Semiya PacemThe mocktails and cocktails were named ‘Jaldarangam’ in line with the musical theme of the evening.
Inspired by the evening and the need to promote the art, Nirmala has suggested a corner for musicians in a grocery chain. “More venues should be art-friendly and take music directly to new audiences,” she says. Only then, Carnatic music will not only survive but also flourish.”
‘Kutti Kucheri’ Experience
Vandana Srinivasan’s musical performance at Rare Lily. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Lasya Narasimhachari went shopping. She came back with an idea.
The Bharatanatyam-Kuchipudi dancer and event curator was examining an antique chapattis box at Rare Lily, a store in RA Puram that sells furniture and home decor, when she realized that the space could be converted into a performance space. Is. One thing led to another, and Rare Lily hosted a performance at the recently held ‘Kutti Kucheri Festival’.
“For a long time, we have been thinking of a musical performance as having a stage for the artist and some distance between them and the audience. The experience of a gathering has defined Margaazi. I wanted to redefine the experience as a Rasika. We tried to break a definition and redefine space and artistic experiences,” says Lasya, founder-director of Rasoham, which puts together the festival.
While the previous edition of ‘Kutti Kucheri Festival’ featured a performance by Priyadarshini Govind under a mango tree in the backyard of the Kanakavalli saree store, this edition featured unconventional experiences like singer Bharat Sundar’s Carnatic music and Vandana Srinivasan’s evening at the Hanu Reddy Residence. The focus was also on. Ghazals in Rare Lily. In another evening ‘Natupura Kalaigal’ was performed by the folk artistes in which the audience also joined the artistes with some quick steps. “What completes the experience is not just the art form but also understanding the artist. Every artist has his or her own artistry, which makes it unique,” says Lasya.
Their festival, which lasted 10 days at various venues, was intended to present performances in intimate, personal settings. Lasya explains, “A Mridangam artiste once told me that the artiste should be so close to the listener that when the hands are raised to play the instrument, they hit the listener. You should experience the art as closely as possible.”
hello doctor
Indian Choral Ensemble at MGM Healthcare | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Hospitals can be intimidating for some people. But this Margazhi, Rasikas flocked to some hospitals in Chennai not for blood tests or doctor visits, but to listen to concerts.
The atrium of MGM Healthcare in Nelson Manickam Road had hosted some interesting musical endeavors a few weeks ago, with a performance by Carnatic music sisters Anahita and Apoorva, followed by a performance by the Indian Choral Ensemble.
When more than 30 music singers performed in the hospital courtyard, patients, doctors and other public members gathered on all floors to enjoy the music. “When live music plays in the hospital, patients get momentary relief. Also, doctors rarely get time to go out for concerts, so this concept appealed to them. I believe that as artists, we reached out to a new set of audiences,” says Kalyani Nair of the ensemble, which attempts to bridge Carnatic and contemporary musical themes.
The choir performed their original songs and also premiered a few pieces, including a song from composer Karthik Manikawaskam’s upcoming album. popular movie topics like Mouna Ragam Themes and Fragments sweet boy Apart from this, classic Carnatic compositions like ‘Maitrim Bhajata’ were also added to the mix. “It was unusual because it lightened the atmosphere inside the hospital. This season of Margazhi is vibrant and brings out the music fan in everyone in Chennai,” says Kalyani.
She is not only talking about the people gathered in the hospital courtyard, but also about the patients who were inside the rooms and recovering. “Patients were provided with personalized support, ensuring they could participate comfortably. Patients and family members had the option to watch it on the TV screen in their rooms,” says Dr Urjita Rajagopalan, MD, MGM Healthcare, adding that such cultural initiatives play an important role in creating a supportive and uplifting hospital culture.
More such cultural places are coming up. Alwarpet-based Kauvery Hospital has arranged ‘Margazhi Isai Thiruvizha’ in an auditorium on its campus every evening from January 7-10, featuring artistes like Carnatic singer Vasudha Ravi and mandolin player Vishwas Hari. This season it’s more musical than medical.
published – January 07, 2025 12:33 PM IST
