Inspired by Chennai’s famed Carnatic music season, a two-day festival in Mumbai will bring together concerts, lectures and traditional South Indian fare
Vidwan Vikku Vinayakram plays the ghatam
The nip in the air is just right to reach out for those Kanjeevarams tucked away in your cupboard. If the weather isn’t enough reason to drape the gorgeous silk sarees, here’s one more: Chennai’s sabha season is here, thanks to Mumbai Margazhi Mahotsavam. For two days, St Andrew’s Auditorium in Bandra will resonate with notes of the nadaswaram, spirited discussions on the nuances of Carnatic compositions, and intense kutcheries and lecture demonstrations, all fuelled by lip-smacking traditional South Indian fare.
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Violinists R Ganesh and R Kumaresh
Organised by Banyan Tree, the festival aims to offer Mumbaikars a slice of Chennai’s busy month-long Margazhi showcase. Nandini Mahesh, director, Banyan Tree Events, shares that the mahotsavam is now in its fourth edition. “There are so many people in Mumbai who love Carnatic music, so we decided to experiment with it.” In the Tamil calendar, the month of Margazhi, which stretches from mid-December to mid-January, is considered auspicious and significant for sadhana or the practice of classical music. “Margazhi weaves together social, cultural and spiritual activities, offering encouragement for art, devotion and life itself,” she explains.
Apart from music, the festival offers Mumbaikars a slice of South Indian delicacies
The 2023 chapter features a line-up of Carnatic maestros and upcoming talents. The opening day will witness performances by Amritha Murali (vocal), Akkarai Sisters (vocal), Vidwan Vikku Vinayakram (ghatam), and R Ganesh and R Kumaresh (violin duet). Day 2 will kick off with performances by A Jayant (flute), Dr Pantula Rama (vocal), and a lecture demonstration by V Sriram (vocal). This will be followed by Vidya Harikrishna (vocal), Ramana Balachandran (veena), Guru Karaikudi Mani (mridangam) and Trichur Brothers (vocal). S Subhalakshmi, who, along with S Sornalatha is part of the Akkarai Sisters, shares they are excited for their debut at the Mumbai Margazhi Mahotsavam. “We’ll perform compositions of the Carnatic trinity, and a few bhajans,” she reveals. R Ganesh and R Kumaresh share that god resides in the month of Margazhi, and mornings in Chennai are marked by notes of bhajans reverberating from temples of Mylapore or T Nagar. “It’s the best time to connect with the divine. So you can expect a celebration of music, food, clothing and the divinity of music. We look forward to performing in Mumbai,” they tell us.
The Akkarai Sisters
Apart from music, the festival will transport Mumbaikars to the sabhas of Chennai with a spread of authentic dishes by Arusuvai Arasu, a popular caterer from Tamil Nadu. The aromas of idli, medu vada, rasam, bisi bele bhaat, pongal, and of course, filter coffee will waft in the air. “There’s beautiful music, happy faces in Kanjeevaram sarees, and great food — Margazhi is a feast for the senses,” Mahesh sums up aptly.
ON January 7 and 8; 10 am to 1 pm; 3 pm to 8.30 pm
AT St Andrew’s Auditorium, Bandra.
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