A temple in north Chennai where people gather to attend annual Carnatic concerts

Rich tradition: People attending a Carnatic concert at the Sri Kothandaramar temple.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

For the past 35 years now, irrespective of rain or fog, residents of Washermenpet have attended Carnatic classical concerts at the Sri Kothandaramar temple on Perambalu Street during the Margazhi season.

“There have always been Tamil songs [at the concerts], as desired by the original organisers — the Bhajanai groups that came together to start a Margazhi Isai Vizha in north Chennai. Nowadays, it has turned into a resident’s initiative with many eagerly awaiting the programmes every year,” Tamil scholar Ma. Ki. Ramanan said.

The concerts begin at 6.30 a.m., and go on for two hours every day, barring on Vaikunta Ekadasi and the New Year. Renowned vocalist Seerkazhi Sivachidambaram, who has performed at the Margazhi Deiva Thamizh Isai Mandram’s annual Vizha (at least 30 vizhas), said it was a unique sabha where one could sing to their heart’s content.

“The audience listen to Thevarams, Thiruarutpas, Thiruvasagams and other Tamil songs with great interest. The atmosphere in the temple is very quaint. We sing in a natural set up. There are no acoustic arrangements. My father, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, inaugurated the festival one year. T.M.S [T.M. Soundararajan] has performed here. There is no vidhwan who has not performed at the temple,” he said.

Morsing vidhwan A.S. Krishnan, who has been inviting the artistes for three years now, said the festival committee included long-time north Chennai resident A.V.S. Marimuthu and Dr. Mahalingam.

“Before me, it was mridangam vidhwan Yuvarajan, who is no longer with us. We have had many senior artistes perform here. After every performance, held at the sannidhi of Lord Rama, we have an aarathi session and distribute prasadam. This year, we have programmes till January 13…,” he added.

Initiative in Thoraipakkam

Another initiative, called OhMaRgazhi, just concluded in Thoraipakkam. Residents were taken to the venue, APL Global School, by buses and provided free coffee, snacks and dinner. Concerts, including by S. Sowmya and Sivasri Skandaprasad, were held at the school’s sports arena.

Sripriya Satheeshkumar, Hira Birchwood resident, said: “We went for three days. I went with my father Dr. R. Venugopal. We loved the performances. A dance performance by Mahati Academy was splendid. I knew the stories that were presented. More youth should participate in such events,” she said.

Harsha Koda, co-founder- FOMRRA, said the event was organised by Ramaniyam Builders’ non-profit project Lasya, in partnership with the FOMRRA. “Lasya had been conducting concerts for seven years now, which were attended by residents in and around Thoraipakkam. This time, we joined, and residents from places such as Siruseri and Kelambakkam came in buses that we had arranged. Snacks and dinner were provided to them,” he said.