Venue: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Time: Mid-December to Mid-January
Duration: One month
Highlights: A rich cultural extravaganza, with amazing vocal,
instrumental as well as dance performances
Chennai Music and Dance Festival is organized every year during mid
December to mid January. The capital city of Chennai serves as the venue
of the festival, which lasts for a period of approximately one month.
Throughout the month, renowned artists render dance and music
performances all over the city. Organized by various 'sabhas'
(organizations) in the city, the Dance and Music Festival of Chennai is
intended to promote the classical music as well as the classical dances
of the state.
There is no fixed venue of the festival in Chennai. Infact, it is held
at a number of auditoriums, temples and heritage bungalows. It is also
known as the 'Margazhi Festival of Dance and Music' and came into
existence in the year 1927. The initial aim behind the celebration of
this festival was to memorialize the anniversary of Madras Music Academy
every December. Gradually, various organizations adopted this festival
in place of the art festivals they used to hold in the different parts
of the city.
South Indian classical music is believed to be a traditional form of
worship and the Tamil month of 'Margazhi' is considered a sacred month.
Thus, the festival came to be celebrated in the month of Margazhi and
was given the name of 'Margazhi Festival of Dance and Music' also. It is
estimated that more than 2000 artists take part in the, over 300,
concerts of the Chennai Music and Dance Festival. Even those Indian
artists and scholars who have migrated to foreign countries come back to
Chennai every year to attend this festival.
The performances at the Dance and Music Festival of Chennai include
both vocal and instrumental music, along with solo and group dance. One
can see artists of all levels performing at the festival, right from the
world-renowned ones to the upcoming ones. Songs in various South Indian
languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada can be heard echoing in the
city. Then, you have the melodious sound of instruments like Flute,
Veena, Goottuvadyam, Mridangam, Thavil, etc. If you want to have a
glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of India, Chennai Dance and Music
Festival is the place to be.
How to Reach
By Air: Chennai has its own airport, with both international as
well as domestic terminals.
By Rail: Chennai railway station has direct train services to
most of the key cities of India.
By Road: Chennai is well connected with the rest of the country
by road.
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