The Madras Music Season...Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Come December, Chennai’s sky reverberates with the divine naadha of the Tambura; chennai’s sea echoes the beat of the percussion instruments ; the cool winter wind dances to the jingle of the ghungroos; there is musical festivity everywhere ….left ,right and centre … Festivity includes feast for the eyes, the ears and the palette. From the rasika’s point of view ,it is an occasion to dress up in your best silk saris and kurtas , an opportunity to socialize .. meet old friends and make new ones, a time to free themselves from the rut of daily routine , in addition to saturating their souls with divinity and spirituality through our priceless performing arts . That is s the Madras music season celebrated every December , for over at least nine decades now ..Yes ! I can visualise a few eyebrows going up with the question .. “Where is this Madras now ?”As a citizen born and brought up here, I can accept the name Chennai in all spheres of life ; but when it comes to talking of the December music festival , I love to call it the “Madras Music festival “.” Catch my point ..”? Well coming back to the topic of the year , it is “ The Madras Music Season , Yesterday , today and tomorrow “ It was indeed a privilege and a pleasure to register the multidimensions through which our artists studied the subject and presented their very valuable thoughts so beautifully , intellectually , frankly , honestly and sincerely , that WE are proud to present a colourful kaleidoscope from a variety of performers belonging to at least 4 generations . a true treat from us at WE for the rasikas not only of Chennai but from all around the globe .Yes! Men may come and men may go but the Madras music Season goes on for ever. ..

Natyacharya: V.P. & Shanta Dhananjayan [Bharathanatyam Gurus and Performers]

Chennai is an amazing cultural capital of Bhaarat -performing Art’s season spanning the year long . In addition to music concerts ,it is saturated with Bharatanatyam Arangetrams, thematic naatya presentations, innovative group dance presentations etc etc covering variety of subjects, confusing people with a nomenclature “Ballet”. Westerners are intrigued by this name, and get disappointed when they walk in, to witness this ballet of Indian artistes. A wrong usage of word for a Bharatanatyam drama presentation.

Yet people look up[ or down, we don’t know,] to December season – or Margazhi utsav, t Chennai’s art festival season.

Year after year additional Sabhas spring and new venues get clustered with banners and neon lights with no infrastructures of conducive halls, toilets, dressing rooms facilities and acoustic convenience. Yesterday and today it has been the same, TOMORROW is a big question mark ???.

All said and done our rasikas or the connoisseurs take it with a ‘ pinch of salt’, they are positive thinkers, unmindful of all inconveniences December season is certainly a welcome season for a visit to Chennai.

So much happens in this vibrant city, art creativity is in abundance, especially the Bharatanatyam arena is marching ahead with excellent standard in every individual performances and competing presentational standard. Only regret is the city has not provided a professional infrastructure, with good equipped theaters and facilities to highlight the imagination of the creators. We wish there are corporate houses or philanthropists to support the art activities here.

This is where the TOMORROW comes in view, certainly future can be very bright for Art seasons in Chennai if only our art funding bodies have a positive approach and fa sightedness like our ancient kings, and feudals whose contributions to art we still cherish and enjoy. Their names are still lingering in the minds of people. We praise them for leaving such a legacy for generations to enjoy.

Chennai Sabhas have to be congratulated for their tireless endeavors for up keeping the December season , and the ongoing art festivities, attracting global interest.

Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan Smt Sudha Raghunathan [Vocalist]

Yesterday....The glorious learning period from my mother Choodamani, BV Lakshman Sir

and of the legendary MLV Amma. The beginning of my career with so many well wishers was

exciting...the sound of applause, motivating reviews, audience response and affection, all

motivated and pushed me to do better and better.

Today.

....as Padma Bhushan and Sangita Kalanidhi, I look back at the path I have walked. My

heart swells with gratitude to the Almighty, my gurus, rasikas and friends for having given

me immense support and inspired me to breathe music. I shoulder the responsibility as a

cultural ambassador of the nation embellishing the Madras Music Season with unique

offerings and propagation of the legacy I hail from.

Tomorrow…

..Building up next generation talent , the legacy continues to be strong, with the

Madras Music Season being a prestigious and noteworthy platform for performance. I would like to Internalize and continue appreciating the many styles from different schools that find place

during the Season and enrich my repertoire further.

I have sung during Margazhi for 35 years without a break and enjoyed the experience, the

challenges and the audience revelry.

Smts Ranjani and Gayathri [Vocalists and violinists]

The Madras December Season is a phenomenon that seems as abiding and unchanging as the seasons. It epitomises the Madras spirit- staunchly traditional,... the wisdom and patina of experience blending seamlessly with the freshness of youth, deeply rooted in old-time values but open minded in approach. As we celebrate the Season with the cloudburst of concerts and music, we celebrate everything that is true, beautiful and abiding in our culture.

Our first season experience was in the year 1988, when Ranjani was 13 and Gayatri 10. We played just one concert, but heard scores of concerts- by veterans, seniors, sub-seniors, stars and upcoming artistes- we took them all in with the same wide-eyed enthusiasm and intensity. The morning typically started with the veedhi bhajana at the crack of dawn, and on and on went the music activity of the day- hopping from concert to concert, meeting musicians in the canteen of the hallowed Music Academy and ending the day with a late night concert. As our concerts increased over the years, we became part of this beautiful cultural fabric of the city, and now we look back with joy and renewed pride at the legacy that this city has nurtured over and over again- the musicians may come and go, but their footprints remain, the music remains, and the experience is as rich as ever for us! As we occupy centre stage in the hallowed dias of the sabhas, we are conscious of being another beautiful link in this unbroken chain of tradition, and we savour these moments.

Amidst the frenetic activity of the season, is there a time to pause and take stock Perhaps...One may wish there were fewer concerts, and more rasikas for concerts other than the star musicians...One may wish there was enough time and space to savour each and every aspect of this staggeringly huge festival...one may wish there was better global recognition of this unique phenomenon that is probably the only one of its kind...

But, meanwhile, let us take joy and pride in yet another season...and gear ourselves up for all the outpouring of music!!

Priya Sisters (Smts Haripriya and Shanmukhapriya) [Vocalists]

Yesterday: Our experience of the music season yesterday has two segments.One as listeners and another as performers because we started performing from 1991 and this season is going to be our 25th season.As listeners,we had the great fortune of listening to stalwarts like Smt.M.L.Vasanthakumari,our gurus Smt.Radha & Jayalakshmi,Mandolin Srinivas,Sri.K.J.Yesudas and several other artistes.When we look back,we love the discipline among the listeners then.There were no mobile phones etc.The concerts were a one time experience and there were no video recordings to watch later.We looked at artistes like GOD.They all appeared so inhuman to us when they sang or played we used to clasp our hands together in reverence.This was from 1985 to 1990.Even when we watched all the great artistes in awe,we never dreamt of us being on stage in just a few years from then.But Providance and Divine grace put us on stage as early as 1991.We had great music critics like Subbudu and people would look forward to his reviews.

Today: The number of sabhas have increased 10 or 15 times.This has definitely affected the quality of music.There are hundreds of artistes performing.The atmosphere,no doubt,is so festive and the city lights up during this season.But is there the same respect and discipline among the artistes and the listeners? This is something that disappoints us so much.More often than not,artistes greet each other with a 'hi' and not a 'namaskaram'.Listeners post updates about the concert on facebook while the concert is still in progress.While typing the update,he or she would have missed so many nuances of that art.Its a fashion to update on facebook saying 'listening to so and so'.Video and audio recordings are done using the mobile phones without the artistes' permission.Everyone is a critic today.One doesn't have to have deep knowledge of the art form to review the concerts.Anyone and everyone is allowed to write.Inspite of all these,musicians continue to learn,grow and try to outlive their own .

Tomorrow: Its difficult to picturise what the scenario will be like in future.But looking at the way things are going,there may be telecasts and webcasts of all concerts which might take rasikas away from the venues.But Music is too massive and divine to be affected by technology.Thats the hope we need to live with.

Sri Unnikrishnan [vocal]

Talking of yesterday , it was during my college days at Vivekananda that my aunt Radha paniker told my mother about the music season at Madras and suggested to take me to listen to the concerts. well, that was the beginning and I started attending the kutcheris of the stalwarts and the bright stars in the galaxy of Classical carnatic music those days . I was lucky to have had many of today's top musician like Sri Vijay Siva, Sri R.K. Sriram kumar as my classmate and Sri Sanjay Subramaniam was one year junior to me.It was actually the YACM setup that became the base for many of today's toppers to be spotted and grow those days.There were limited concerts, handful of top artists and limited number of Sabas; naturally the auditoriums for the concerts were full ; in the prestigious Sabha the front rows were jampacked with veterans and critics; so much so each artist’s focus was to deliver his very best. As everyone knew there was no no major sponsors to support the sabhas and the artists those days .

Today,the scenario has totally changed. Countless Sabhas,h innumerable artists... established and upcoming, concerts through the day and global audience…. well it has taken maybe 25 years for the scene to change. Amazing Vocal, instrumental and dance programmes are getting equal attention from rasikas. One cannot blame the empty chairs because how can the audience be present in all the sabahs, all the time. Every coin has two sides…. the gigantic growth of the Madras music Season has its Plus and minus . yes , there may be some compromise in quality, for after all artists are human. Nowadays I have started going a little slow in choosing my concerts, performing in one venue this year and another next year; maybe that is good for my throat and my music. otherwise, it is a wonderful busy busy season which makes every Rasika happy, always booking forward to the next season.. wherever they are. one should say that on the food front also ,major breakthrough has been achieved One doesn't have to worry about cooking at home; we can spend the whole day in various sabhas , have varieties of food , go home and just sleep!

Talking of tomorrow, I am clear in stating that change is the basis of growth and Civilization. Let rasikas be open to change...of course without disturbing the basic foundation of the rich heritage of our classical carnatic music. We change our cars, we change our cell phones, dress codes have seen changes ….T20s and one day cricket matches have been innovated ... why not accept change in the performing art forms. Of course within the ..repeat... within the framework prescribed by our ancestors and musical Pitha mahas. with the latest scientific advancements in technology, the future maybe most prosperous and fulfilling for the artist as well as the audience.

Sri O.S.Arun [Vocalist]

For me who has been fortunate to be born in a family with a musical heritage , the Madras music season is as close to the heart as a family function . If I can put it in a capsule ,

Yesterday ...was a beautiful dream ;

Today ……….is a happy reality;

Tomorrow…..is for posterity .

Let me talk of the music season and me first .

Yesterday … Born and brought up in Delhi , those were the days I used to come all the way from Delhi to attend the music season concerts …. that too I had to shuttle between listening to kutcheris here and perform concerts befitting my age ..Just a glimpse of the veterans and stalwarts was enough to fill the heart with music ; what can one say about the result of listening to their vidwath with rapt attention !!unforgettable and unbelievable and most rewarding ….

In addition there was perennial music in the family . Appa O.V. Subramaniam , anna O.s. Thyagarajan were all role models who inspired me to dream ...and dream high ...

Can I too …? will I too be able to sit one day on those reverential Peethas of Nadharoopini Sharadamba and perhaps perform ..?

The sweet dream continued …..

Today ….

well , I should say that Ma Sharada has indeed been kind to me …

I have switched sides … From the audience to the Performer’s has become a reality ;

But the transition was not easy .. not a bed of roses . It was and still is almost a “Thapas “

I should thank all my Gods and Gurus for moulding me to my unique style which my rasikas say perfectly befits my voice and kalpana shakti . I get immersed in the tHE NAADP PRAVAHA THAT SPRINGS FROM MY SOUL first and then drown the rasikas in my effort to take them to heights of musical ecstasy . What stands out today in my mind are the divine musings of Swami Dayananda saraswathi when he said “Everyone sings ragas ; but Arun becomes the raga” “ These kind words of the Saint , I value like a “Bharat Ratna ‘ award .

Well , I take care to space the season concerts ; December 25th is Mudra’s every year with no boundary drawn on the closing side ;December 31st is Sri parthasarathy Swami Sabha .

Concerts abroad are proud moments when the artist in person sees and feels the deep appreciation of the splendour of Indian performing arts . My performance at the French Chappal 2 years back is an unforgettable one when the the entire French audience sat frozen from start to finish hypnotized by the magic wand of our classical musical treasure .It was indeed mesmerising experience and a moment to cherish to see them chant “Vittala.. Vittala.. Govinda...Govinda..“ after me .

Tomorrow ….is for posterity .We are handing over to the future generation , the tradition passed on to us by our parents and Gurus . From the Gurukulam days of yesteryears ,we have graduated to the “ Skype” mode !The future may have many advancements and changes in techniques . But let every artist remember with reverence that the “Lakshman rekha” prescribed by our legends , stalwarts and sangeetha sasthra shall never be crossed, at whatever cost!!!

Smt Sheela Unnikrishnan [ Bharatanatyam Guru]

Let me confess, I have never performed in any Sabha as a student except when I once performed a tiny role as peacock in Guru Vempati’s Rukmini Kalyanam, Kuchipudi Ballet

sometime during 1993.

I am presenting my students for performances during the season, only since 2002. So, my opinion in this regard, will be constraint to this period.

Yesterday....

*Upcoming and growing Sabhas will approach us for performances, of course, with a payment of sponsorship money. These are good opportunities for the upcoming and aspiring dancers to exhibit their talent.*Parents of those students feel happy to see their children perform on a decent platform for a reciprocative audience.* My initial productions were staged with the support of these Sabhas and that gave me a considerable strength and learning experiences.

(For established Sabhas, even today, not their fault, does not want to include

programs by upcoming artists ])

TODAY.....

The number of Sabhas that offer opportunities for the performers have gone up and their commercialisation of the art has also increased. Since there is more supply, demand has come down, Rasikas coming to classical dance programs in not-so-established Sabhas have decreased in number. The unfortunate scenario of empty auditoriums during the performances have become a regular occurrence. So, the performer, who has two or more performances, have to plan whom to invite to which show also be cautious not to repeat his/her dances which may make the audience feel, "the same thing". This prevents the artist from improvisation, as repeat performances will enrich his/her artistry.

*With more NRI performers are coming down to perform in culturally-rich Chennai, the Sabhas are demanding more sponsorship amount, which at times, is a pull-back for many financially limited performers.

*Critics are not able to cover all these performances. MY PERSONAL OPINION -.. We the dancers should also adapt various trends that will impress the current audience. Dragging slow numbers do not attract their attention ; on the other hand makes them bored . Keeping in mind, the limitations that are set by our elders, I feel, a slight alteration in all the aspects, in our presentation may bring a good change in pulling the crowd to our shows. More artists, more opportunities, more performances - this is a blessing, today.

More than anything, there is no doubt that at all times , hard Work triumphs .

TOMORROW....

As I said earlier , it is hard Work that takes us ahead. There are elders and professionally-acclaimed experts are there to think, plan, make-it-happen in all the fields. I feel humble to speak about tomorrow. However in my opinion, flowing with time is the wise decision performing artists.

Smt Kalpana Kishore[Violinist and Vocalist]

I started performing as a soloist from the age of 10 .Its been nearly 30 yrs since I have been a performing artist .My first accompaniment was in Trichy in a temple, thanks to my Godfather Sri Radhakrishnan, who on hearing my solo concert wanted me to take up the challenge as an accompanist!! Till then I had only heard about the Madras Music Festival and the great maestros who used to perform in sabhas which were may be a handful then.

Today...

In the mid. Eighties due the efforts of YACM and the young, passionate musicians of our generation , I should say there bloomed a period of renaissance .Many youngsters started making a mark on the pitch of classical carnatic music ,like never before !!!The sabhas and the sponsors had a major share in recognizing them and helped by giving the platforms for those talented youngsters who are today's top musicians ..There came an opportunity for me too through this Youth Association for Carnatic music in Chennai.My journey in music became more serious.There were very few Sabhas in Chennai and I remember performing only 5-6 concerts initially as an accompanist.But as years went by, I still remember the adrenalin rush I had, hopping from one sabha to other in a day, performing almost 15 to 20 concerts during the season.

Lots of growth , like opportunities to musicians around the world are there today's , for which all of us have to salute organizers like Sri cleveland Sundaram.. opportunities for instrumental music concerts is in my opinion , still a question mark .Today’s rasika is a wonderful bundle of appreciation for all categories in performing arts .. The corporate houses and NRI rasikas have indeed written their names in letters of gold in the pages of the history of the growth of classical music .From the points of view of artists and organizers , today’s season scenario is .It is an occasion to dress up ; an occasion to socialize ; ,an occasion to free yourself from the boredom of everyday routine certainly a promising and prosperous one . One cannot deny the quantum of joy the season gives the rasikas nowadays ., hopping from sabha to sabha with the season’s hand book in their pocket or handbag , eagerly planning their programmes and their food well in advance ….

The future I hope ,sees a more relaxed and spaced out schedule of concerts.. may be extending more than a month and making it a more qualitative event than a quantitative one .In my opinion , the onus lies in the artists to make the choice ,always keeping in mind the value of the treasure passed on to us.

Sri Kolkata K. Vijayaraghavan [Vocalist-disciple of Sri T.N.Seshagopalan]

THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, I feel is a perfect choice for the Madras music season. I feel I am blessed to be BORN IN A FAMILY WHERE THE PROFESSION AS WELL PASSION WAS PURELY cARNATIC MUSIC . AS A CHILD WHO HAD A CRAZE FOR cARNATIC MUSIC I WOULD ALWAYS FEEL EXCITED WHEN December was around the corner....DURING THOSE Days THE SEASON CREATED A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO HEAR THE CONCERTS OF GREAT LEGENDS for whom singing was a CARRiER OF DIGNITY DIVINITY AND DESIRE. MY FATHER Sri KOLKATA.K.KANNAN WOULD BRING ME TO CHENNAI FOR ATTENDING THE MUSIC SEASON AS .I WOULD SAY THAT THE SEASON HAD A CRUCIAL ROLE IN DEVELOPING MY INTEREST TOWARDS THE OCEAN OF MUSIC AS A CHILD and helped me to make me a performer today.,MY INTEREST SLOWLY CHANGED INTO PASSION . I felt NOW COMMITTED to TO LEARN AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE .I WAS ABLE TO DEVELOP MY CREATIVITY BY LISTENING TO ALL SUCH GREAT LEGENDARY CONCERTS,WHICH I THINK IS A BASIC NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMER.THE BASIS IN WHICH OPPORTUNITIES WERE PROVIDED TO ARTISTS VARIED A LOT FROM WHAT IT USED TO BE BEFORE, AS THIS WAS THE PERIOD WHEN THE ART STARTED BECOMING COMMERCIAL.MANY YOUNGSTERS WERE ENTERING INTO THE FIELD AND THUS THERE WAS A EVOLUTION THE MUSIC ERA. BUT TO ADD ,TALENTS WERE OF COURSE WELL RECOGNISED. AT PRESENT WHERE I AM ABLE TO SEE THE SAME PROFESSION AS A PERFORMING ARTIST, I AM ABLE TO REALISE THE ACTUAL SCENARIO AND COMPETITION THAT IS PREVAILING WITHIN THE FIELD.EVERYONE FIGHTS FOR SOME OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOSE THEIR TALENT.BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE RECOGNITION GIVEN IS MORE THAN THE TALENT POSSESSED.THIS RESULTS IN LACK OF PATIENCE AMONG THE PRESENT GENERATIONS.THEY ARE FOCUSED MORE ON FAME AND RECOGNITION ,NOT REALISING THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE .THE MENTAL ASPECT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE THE LISTENERS ARE READY ONLY TO ACCEPT WHATEVER THEY LIKE AND NOT THE DIGNIFIED TRADITIONAL STYLES. AS A PERFORMING ARTIST AND TEACHER ,I AM TRYING MY BEST TO

FOLLOW THE TRADITION AND TRAIN MY STUDENTS WITH A TRUE INTENTION OF GAINING

KNOWLEDGE .I ALSO FEEL THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM SHOULD CHANGE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE RESPECT AND DIVINITY OF THE ART IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE AND TO CREATE MORE MUSIC LOVERS.

Sri B.V.Ganesh[ Vocalist-Disciple of Sri Vairamangalam Lakshminarayanan]

Three generations of music.....And now I too have entered this arena. Summer, monsoon, winter are seasons. But in Chennai, music has also taken the role of a season. Even though, time has made its way all through the years, there has been changes in all spheres --- [ and Madras has become Chennai...] , but the 'Music Season' has never lost its power.

In the days of yore with stalwarts like M.S.Amma , Brinda-Muktha- M.D Ramanathan , Alathur -Brothers MLV, GNB, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Semmangudi mama and others, the standard set was high and they had made a mark which even today, is unparalleled. Their concerts would be filled with joyous and soulful music that are etched in listeners' hearts and will remain so for years to come. In. In the past, the number of sabhas were very few and crowds gathered in numbers in these sabhas to listen to the stalwarts… and the halls were full.

Today ...However, , the music season has changed into a festivity with many more sabhas, many more artists and categories of art gaining prominence. Many new and budding artistes get the chance to display their potential and promote the art of carnatic music. It is endearing to see new talent come to the fore and give the rasikas a wonderful musical experience.

It is for this reason that I see a bright future for the music season in Madras for many years to come which will create many more stalwarts and will always remain a part of the history of this city.

Sri Sandeep Narayan [Vocalist] Disciple of Sri sanjay subrahmanyan]

Thoughts of the Madras music season from my younger years bring back memories of my early visits from the US during December holidays. I would often get permission from professors to take exams early so I could maximize my time in Madras.From the second I landed, it was non-stop music. Morning concerts and lec-dems at various sabhas would be followed by ‘concert-hopping ’and quick meals at canteens. I’d leave the house at 730 am and more often than not,I would return only at 11pm.

The idea of a student coming all the way from the US just to sing in sabhas and spend the rest of the time listening to concerts was not as common as it has become today. My grandparents would complain that they hardly saw me in those 3 weeks,[ May be to make up for that , I am living in their house now!] Today, after having permanently moved to Madras nine years ago, the music season has completely transformed for me. My focus and activities have changed greatly. I now have to pay attention to my own concerts more than anything else, which means I hardly have time to attend other performances. In fact, I’m lucky if I get to catch a handful of my guru’s concerts during the month’s festival. But one definite complaint now is that I don’t get to enjoy the canteen food as much! In addition to the hectic nature ofthe December festival,, the months leading up to the season are just as busy, as I need to schedule concerts, confirm my pakkavadhyam artists, and learn new krithis. The pressure of singing so many back-to-back concerts motivates me to keep working hard. Tomorrow---.It is difficult to say for certain what the music season will look like in the future. When I look at the festival from a broader perspective, I find that it lacks unity and cohesiveness. A more organized festival where sabhas work together will help it receive more international recognition and bring in even larger audiences from around the world. Other than the coverage across a handful of television and radio stations in the South, it is hard to see much media attention for our music in the North India, let alone on any international news channels or media outlets in other countries. The “Madras Music Season” is one of the biggest music and dance festival sin the world, yet one rarely hears it being discussed by musicians or festival goers outside of the South Indian diaspora. We truly hope that it receives the true global recognition it deserves in the future.

Thirucherai Kaushik[ Mridangist..Disciple of Sri Mannargudi Easwaran] and Thirucherai karthik [Violinist-Disciple of Sri V.L. Kumar]

Before:

Opportunities those days were not abundantly available for the artists to express their

talents. Not many sabhas existed and also artists were expected to attain a certain age to

perform a concert.

Audiences those days were a real pleasure to perform for. The arena used to be filled with

knowledgeable people till the very end of the concert.

It is a real blessing for people to have lived in the period of doyens of Carnatic music, to

listen to their concerts and experience the magic they created with their music.

Present:

With the substantial increase in the number of organisations for promoting the art form,

musicians of all age have plenty of scope of participating in the music festival.

Fresh talent in unique ways are witnessed and due recognition is given.

Of course, audience quantum is very low in the afternoon concerts for the upcoming artists,

but dedicated rasikas to Carnatic music do exist to support the upcoming artists.

It is a great opportunity for us youngsters to witness the senior artists in the field perform

and to learn from them other aspects of rendition of a concert, the aesthetics involved, the

innovations offered without deviating from the tradition, apart from classroom learning.

Opportunities also exist for people to interact with the senior artists through various

workshops conducted from time to time and to learn from them their perspectives and

knowledge of music, the way they see it through their eyes.

Madras Music Season now being classified as one of the world’s largest festival conducted is

justified not only because of the quantum of concerts, but also because of the impact it has

created on the people of different countries, who make it a point to travel from wherever

they are to Chennai, to participate in this mega music festival.

Future:

The impact of Carnatic music will be experienced by more people both within and outside

the country who will get the interest to learn the art and enthusiastically will want to

participate in the Margazhi festival.

As long as there are dedicated people towards the art form, there is no need to worry about

any decline in the quality of our music.