As December descends upon Chennai, the city transforms into a vibrant hub to host the kutchery season. Leading the orchestration is Music Academy, a premier carnatic music concert organisation, with its roots tracing back to its establishment as a society in 1928.
The annual extravaganza, named the December Carnatic Music Festival, holds a distinguished place in the global calendar of events. Drawing aficionados from across the world, the entire month buzzes with notes of various intonation. Hotels lining Dr Radhakrishnan Salai will be flooded with foreigners who await to immerse into the deep cultural richness.
In an engaging conversation, N Murali, President of Music Academy, details on the illustrious past, vibrant present and the promising future. “We began as a non-profit organisation, marking the advent with the Margazhi Festival in December. Over the years, we’ve grown exponentially in concerts and conferences,” Murali beamed, narrating the trajectory of this cultural institution.
The curtains for the 2023 carnatic music and dance spectacle will rise on 15 December, culminating in a grand finale on 1 January, 2024. A glittering award ceremony will feature coveted honours such as the Sangeetha Kalanidhi and Sangeetha Kala Acharya.
The programme committee places emphasis on nurturing young talents, especially in the age group of 16 to 25, fostering a harmonious balance between seasoned performers and the next generation.
Savouring Flavours and Melodies
Murali shared insights into the academy’s robust database and state-of-the-art in-house library, crediting the corporate sector’s contributions for making it possible. The reputation of this institution extends globally, with musicians from India and overseas taking immense pride in gracing its stage. Even during the challenging times of pandemic, the academy adapted itself. An abridged digital version with 1500 concerts organised by over 100 sabhas enthralled rasikas across the globe, demonstrating resilience and commitment.
An empty stomach lends to deaf ears. Understanding this perfectly, just like the music, even the piping hot food, at the academy is a huge hit. This year, Sasta Caterers have been roped in to provide a delightful multi-cuisine experience.
The stage is set for the 2023 razzmatazz of the Music Academy, promising to captivate audiences of all ages with its melodic enchantment.
Timeless notes…
In Madras, during 1927, a cultural renaissance was underway as the Indian National Congress convened the All-India Music Conference. At the heart of this transformative event stood E Krishna Iyer, a visionary who had played a pivotal role in reviving bharatanatyam, the traditional south Indian dance form. Inspired by the success of the conference, it was unanimously decided to establish an organisation dedicated for the cause of music. Thus came Music Academy to existence.
On 18 August,1928, in the grand Y.M.I.A. Auditorium, C P Ramaswami Iyer inaugurated the academy before a distinguished gathering. The inaugural music festival in December 1927 marked the beginning of a tradition that would become synonymous with carnatic music enthusiasts, as the Margazhi season.
Initially, the academy operated from a temporary location in George Town before finding a permanent home in Mylapore. In 1955, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the present day building on TTK Road. The inauguration took place on 20 December, 1962, by Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur, the then governor of Madras.
Under Dr Rama Rao – the founder President, Basheer Ahmed Sayeed – the founder Vice President and E Krishna Iyer as Secretary, the academy flourished. The annual music conferences held every December became a platform for aspiring musicians and scholars. Competitions, presentations and a commitment to promoting the rich tapestry of carnatic music defined the academy’s activities.
Today, the Madras Music Academy stands with two iconic buildings: the T T Krishnamachari Hall built in 1955, with a seating capacity of 1600, and the Kasturi Srinivasan Hall constructed in 1982. This newer addition, houses a small auditorium, library, committee room, and a recording and demonstration room.
