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[Sanjay Subramaniam in a kutcheri. Pic: hindu]

From Aalapanaas to Thukadas to silk sarees, canteen bajjis, sabhas, raskias and season tickets, everything is on for this December Carnatic Music Season 2004 in Chennai.

One of the biggest joys of being in Chennai, the cultural head of South India is this December kutcheri season also known as the Marghazhi Music Festival. With more 20 sabhas and an array of kutcheris(musical performances) happening all around the day, one would have to be lucky to glimpse the best of performers and the best of fine-arts. This Kutcheri season doesn’t carry just carnatic music, it also embeds the best of dance, drama and other artistic expressions.

Come december and Chennai is already in the festive mood. Be it the Isphani Plaza which is decorated with jingle bells, welcoming teenagers and the new year or be it Narada Gana Sabha welcoming the music performers with the huge garlands. It is a pleasure to be in Chennai, especially during the Marghazhi month.

Kutcheri Buzz, an online kutcheri site which chronicles the musical performances during the season is all set for the music season 2004. Carnatic singers Sowmya and Shashikiran’s Carnatica is already rolling commentaries on this season’s performances.

Music Academy of Chennai, the most happening place of music kutcheris is unfortunately not conducting the music season this time.

Going by the schedules, Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha has some of the best performances lined up. Ofcourse, there are other nice sabhas which showcase the best of carnatic musical talent. Some kutcheris that I am looking forward will have Mandolin U. Srinivas‘s fusion show, performances of Sanjay Subramaniam, Aruna Sayeeram and Sikkil Gurucharan.

We are going to have a huge crowd of people coming down from the USA to sing, enjoy and watch the Kutcheris. It’s going to be a month of celebrations and they have already begun.