Vibrant Chennai Music Season - 1

Living in a humid and hot place,we look forward to the 2 months or so of pleasant cool weather in Chennai. It looks funny to see people wearing woolen clothes celebrating the so called winter in December and January though it is only cool and the slight nip in the air energises one. There are many social activities going on in the city making use of the Sun God's kindness during this time. I particularly look forward to the music season during this time. I start counting days from November onwards and wait for those 15 days of bliss.

The concerts in themselves are great, wonderful and worthy of the wait. What adds colour and spice to the whole experience is the feeling, attitude and interest of the 'rasikas' whom one can see in the concert hall.

There are those who take it as a big outing event to come to the programme donning their best of saris, showing off their diamonds and their dressing skills. Some others come to meet with friends and to to have an update of the circle's grapevine.
Then there are the globe trotting (or should I say the USA?)'patti, thathas' who take this occasion of 'kacheries to greet fellow travellers and talk about common friends who are in LA or New Jersey or other American cities. There are those who hop from one concert hall to other and are ever ready to give their expert opinion on the standard of the programme in a particular 'sabha' and present a critical review with a flourish.
When I say all these, please do not mistake me and wonder about the listeners' knowledge and listening skill. Despite a few who come to the concert with hidden agenda, mostly it is a discerning audience and some of them who come there are true connoisseurs of the classical music.

I am simply passionate about this music and the few opportunities that I get to listen to such programmes, I just grab them with both hands. The cool weather turning slightly chilly in the evenings lend a dream like quality to the whole season. The rustle of silk, the whiff of perfume (both artificial and the natural) and the aroma from the canteen carried by the gentle breeze are all inherent part of this great cultural event. Above all, the music simply transports me to another plane altogether in a different world. Unbound from the usual restraints, my mind roams freely from the past to the present, to unknown places and familiar sites creating a wide spectrum of colours and hues; so many thoughts, great many ideas tumble out trying to push past one another that I find it diffiult to give voice to them. However, I am making an attempt this time. Music lovers and all others reading these posts, please share your thoughts.