Chennai music and dance festival
or December Season is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India held during
mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The festival is
held at a number of venues around the city by various 'sabhas' or organizations.
Besides the auditoriums, well-known temple premises and heritage bungalows
are being used as venues. The month long dance and music extravaganza will
have performances of eminent artistes from various parts of India.
The 'Margazhi festival of Dance and Music' started early
back in 1927, to commemorate the anniversary of Madras Music Academy every
December, was later adopted by various organizations which held art festivals
in different parts of the city. The Tamil month of 'Margazhi'
(December) is a sacred
month of the Hindus. South Indian classical music (Carnatic
Music) which has its roots in devotion to the gods, has been a traditional
form of worship from time immemorial.
The
city comes alive with the festival which has now developed into a cultural
extravaganza with more than 2000 artists participating in over 300 concerts.
The festival
also known as 'December Season' attracts expatriate Indians and scholars
from around the world as well. Performances include Vocal and Instrumental music,
Dance - solo and group, both by junior and senior artistes. Even upcoming
artists get a chance to perform along with well-established artists. The music
include classical vocal renditions in various South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada
and instruments like
Flute,Veena
(a large string instrument), Goottuvadyam (similar to Veena but without frets),
'Nagaswaram'
(pipe), 'Thavil' (percussion instrument), 'Mridangam'
(drum), and even 'Ghatam' (a mud pot). The season goes on till mid January
when the scene shifts to Tiruvaiyaru, near Tanjore, where 'Thyagaraja
Aradhana' a week long music festival is held to celebrate the birth of one of the
greatest Carnatic composers and one among the trinity of music - Thyagaraja.
Information about the tickets and the venues can be had from the tourist office,
Chennai. The weather is cool and pleasant at this time of the year. November-
December is the best season to visit the city.
Contacts :
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development
Corporation Ltd,
Tourism Complex,
No.2,Wallajah Road, Triplicane
Near Kalaivanar Arangam,
Chennai - 600 002
Ph: 00 - 91 - 044 - 25383333, 25389857, 25367850 to 54
Fax: 00-91-044- 25381567/ 25361385
Email : Contact
Now1Contact
Now2
T.T.D.C. Sales Counter,
No. 4, E.V.R. Road,
Opp. Central Railway Station
Park Town, Chennai - 600 003,
Ph : 00 - 91 - 44 - 25382916, 25384356
Air: Meenampakkam Airport (7 km) in Chennai has both domestic and international
terminals. Regular flights connect Chennai with the major cities within the country
and also with countries abroad.
Rail: Chennai is well connected
by rail with the important towns and cities within and beyond the state.
Road:
State transport buses and private buses connect Chennai with the major towns
and cities within the country. For local transportation local trains, city buses,
auto rickshaws and taxis are available.
held during
mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The festival is
held at a number of venues around the city by various 'sabhas' or organizations.
Besides the auditoriums, well-known temple premises and heritage bungalows
are being used as venues. The month long dance and music extravaganza will
have performances of eminent artistes from various parts of India.
The festival
also known as 'December Season' attracts expatriate Indians and scholars
from around the world as well. Performances include Vocal and Instrumental music,
Dance - solo and group, both by junior and senior artistes. Even upcoming
artists get a chance to perform along with well-established artists. The music
include classical vocal renditions in various South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada
and instruments like 
