Watch Yogi B, Arivu, Malavika Sundar at The Hindu’s Made of Chennai Food and Music Festival 2024

Twenty years ago, Yogi B, a young executive from Malaysian Tamil television, came to Chennai for the first time. The sounds and sights of the autos, tea shops and the city’s people are still fresh in his mind. To say he was in awe would be putting it lightly.

“People don’t understand, but as a child from the migrant community who read Thevaram, watched Tamil films and listened to songs here, I felt I was finally touching the soil of my origin. Everything felt like a complete culture shock. The neurons exploded. I couldn’t shut my mouth. I saw Tamil Nadu in all its glory and diversity. It was magical, sensory overload,” he says.

The rapper and music producer behind blockbuster hits like ‘Madai Thirandu’ and ‘Engeyam Eppothum’ says his relationship with the city has changed over the years as he has been visiting the city for performances and recordings. However, the romance is still intact. “Makkal enga thangamanavangam (The people have a heart of gold),” he says.

It is the romance and years of inter-cultural exchange among the Tamil diaspora community around the world that the headliner and his long-time collaborator emcee Jess will bring to the stage at the second edition of The Hindu Made of Chennai Food & Music Festival 2024.

JHANU performs high octane industrial rock | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The two-day event is the culmination of The Hindu’s 40-day Made of Chennai festival, which spotlighted many aspects of the city through a number of events, including Cinema on the Beach and an archival photo exhibition at the newspaper’s head office on Anna Salai. The festival, with 10 events and 40 food stalls at the Island Grounds on September 14 and 15, will see artists such as Arivu and The Ambasa Band; Haricharan and Drums Kumaran Collective featuring Sirisha Bhagavatula; Malavika Sundar; Motta Maadi Music; Paul Jacob’s Folk Agenda and Gowli, Band.

Harkirat Singh Sangha (Harry), the band’s bassist, says the high-octane industrial rock that Jhanu features promises raw energy and explosive music. Though popular bands like Justice and Rammstein have been his inspirations, Harry says Ilaiyaraaja occupies a place in his mind while creating music. “Our aim is to make the crowd reach the horizon when we perform,” he says.

Office Gaana on the streets of Chennai, on the other hand, will blend storytelling, office drama and credibility in a peppy, song-style format, says Keerthivasan Raghuram (Monk). Expect covers of popular Tamil songs and original songs from this band that came together because someone in their office decided to play a forgotten dholak. “We are 200% excited,” he says.

Monk’s enthusiasm is not all his own. Many other shows, covering genres such as hip hop, gaana, Carnatic-fusion, folk and rock, will find ways to express the wonderful sounds of Chennai, in all its Tamil glory. Take your pick.

Essence and flavour

Bun Butter Jam from Gopal Dairy | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Food is what makes the festival special. That’s why Shabnam Kamil and her organisation Social Bee have decided to include brands from the city at the food stalls during the festival. Her second stint curating the event has been a learning experience. Old 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 sell out in a matter of hours.

She says, “People want to eat biryani at Pulianthope or drink grape juice at Kunhiraman early in the morning, but they are unable to travel that far. In the food festival, all the dishes of Chennai are available at one place. This is perhaps its biggest speciality.”

Akilesh Baskaran, behind the 99-year-old Kunhiraman General Stores, says last year the shops were sold out in two hours. This year, the chilled, tart yet sweet and tangy purple grape juice will be made in larger quantities to meet the festive demand. He is prepared and will also be adding new flavours like blackcurrant to the mix.

Shabnam says no two biryanis, grills, dosas or butter buns will be the same at this festival. She says she is careful to avoid repetition.

Akhilesh demonstrating a variety of juices at Kunhiraman General Store in Royapuram | Photo courtesy: Velankanni Raj B

Syed Moinuddin S of KGN Arifa, who helps his father in the business, says, “This is where our paya biryani comes from, which is made with tender, juicy meat. We serve it with mint chutney and it has been attracting people for three generations. It is different from other biryanis in the city. Honestly, last year we did not expect to sell so many biryanis. This year, the production has picked up.”

The festival will also feature stalls serving Mexican tostadas, iced coffee, halwa, sandwiches and ice cream, apart from South Indian delicacies. Just like Yogi B, get ready to fall in love and be in awe of Chennai all over again.

The Hindu Made of Chennai Food and Music Festival will take place on September 14 and 15 at Island Grounds from 5 pm onwards. Entry is free, but participants must register at madeofchennai.thehindu.com.

The Hindu Made of Chennai Food and Music Festival is organised in association with ACKO, Beepkart. In partnership with: GCC, GCTP, TTDC and Namma Marina. Associate Partners: Aether, Akshayakalpa. Expert Partner: Social B. Artist Partner: ACTC. Radio Partner: BIG FM. Happiness Partner: Streets of Chennai. Event Partner: Torque