Arivu and Ambasa Band at the festival | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Capturing a city and its spirited energy in a weekend is no small feat. the hinduMade of Chennai Food and Music Festival celebrated various aspects of Chennai without fear. Held on September 14 and 15, the festival celebrated various aspects of Chennai without fear. the hindu’s 40-day Made of Chennai celebrations highlighted the city we call home, with a range of public events ranging from an archival exhibition at the newspaper’s office premises to a beachside cinema and a night dedicated to stand-up comedy.
The Food and Music Festival held at the Island Grounds was dedicated to the city’s music scene and culinary diversity, showcased through 10 stage performances and 40 food stalls. The event saw over 53,000 registrations over two days and over 30,000 people attended the ground.
On the music front, artists with long association with the city such as Yogi B, Arivu and The Ambasa Band; Haricharan and the Drums Kumaran Collective comprising Sirisha Bhagavatula; Malavika Sundar; Motta Maadi Music; Paul Jacob’s Folk Agenda, Gowli, Band, Jhanu and Office Gaana performed everything from Carnatic folk rock and gaana to industrial rock and desi hip hop. Madhurika Tetali, a creative consultant based in the city, was among the audience and said, “There was a wide range of music, from rap and Carnatic to Motta Maadi Music where we could sing along. I really liked how Malavika Sundar and her band engaged the audience by mixing their original, independent songs with popular music.”
Singer Haricharan at the festival | Photo courtesy: special arrangement
Adding to the beauty of Chennai, food was the central point of the experience. Chennai’s iconic brands like C Kunhiraman General Stores (famous for selling mango ice cream and mango milk throughout the year), Gopal Dairy (with homemade butter and jams) and KGN Arifa (famous for its Paya Biryani) did not fail to impress. Stalls serving staple South Indian dishes apart from Mexican tostadas, iced coffee, halwa, sandwiches and ice cream also attracted a large number of people.
Dinesh Mohan, a scriptwriter from the city, found several favourite dishes in the mix. “I was there on both days. It was my first time tasting the Paya Biryani and it was amazing. I also tried the tamarind drink from the Naga Chukka stall which tasted similar,” he said. PanagamIt was so good that I have now stocked it in bulk.” Rapper and composer Arivu’s performance of his unreleased track was a big hit for Dinesh. He adds, “Yogi B brought out the child in me! This is the first time I am seeing him perform live, and it really took me back to my youth and childhood.”
Crowds gathered at Island Grounds in Chennai on the first day of the festival | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The huge turnout was a testament to the city’s inclination towards the festival.
Madhurika concludes, “Almost the whole city was there, from different parts. It was wonderful to see them dancing to the music and relishing various historical cuisines. [food] Had a great experience at the joints. I’m really glad I was there.
The Hindu Made of Chennai Food & Music Festival, ACKO in association with Beepkart.
In partnership: GCC, GCTP, TTDC and Namma Marina
Associate Partner: Ather, Akshaykalp
Expert Partner: Social Bee
Artist Partner: ACTC
Radio Partner: Big FM
A companion for happiness: On the streets of Chennai
Event Partner: Torque
Health Partner: Kauvery Hospital
Published – September 18, 2024 04:37 PM IST
