Margazhi Maha Utsavam or Margazhi Isai Vizha or Isal Natya Nataka vizha (Margazhi is one of the months in the Tamil Caledar from mid December to mid January; Isai is music, Natya is dance, Nataka is drama; Vizha is ceremony). A much celebrated month in Chennai for the different art forms. Musicians from across the world taking this opportunity to perform and listeners from across the world, making their way to these performances.

I would think that it is more a celebration of the various art forms showcasing many an artist – a dancer, an actor or a musician in my view is an artist, as they create art. An opportunity to gather and socially mingle, converse and engage and just be with oneself and the expression of art.

As my own knowledge of this Vizha goes, there is more showcasing of musicians (vocal / instrumental) than of dance or drama. The timing of an artist’s performance in the Sabha is an indicator of their seniority and their popularity (going by the way tickets sold for their concert). A time of the year when the newbies or those who wanted to showcase their talent, got an opportunity to do so (not sure how much favoritism or having a godparent helped; and don’t want to delve into it).

After many many years, this year I had the opportunity to go to a couple of performances of this Vizha (as I would hence forth call it in this blog). The canvas has certainly changed from what it was years back.

Many years back, most ladies attending this vizha would be draped in silk sarees and accessorised with jewellery in gold / precious stones / semi-precious stone. Dripping in diamonds was perhaps a usual sight. Men in their traditional finery. It would be back to back concerts and at best a stall for coffee / tea, to go to, during breaks. There were times when I thought that it was a time for people to show off what they were and had – affluence and affordability needed to be shown. It was an implicitly explicit competition at play.

What I see this time is different and yet the same. It is still a social gathering, meeting and engaging with people. Some women in silk sarees and gold / diamond / precious / semi precious jewellery or men in their traditional finery. Quite many women in non-silk sarees / non-gold jewellery and men in non-traditional attire. The coffee / tea stalls has grown to an eatery with a wide spread of dishes. People visting the Sabhas sometimes to eat at the eatery and not attend a performance. What a change!!!

I saw a change in me and I am sure age and experiences have played a role – more comfortable in my own skin and comfortable complimenting a stranger for their looks or their attire or for what I may have heard them saying (can’t but eavesdrop on conversations that happen closeby :-)). The air was bustling with so much of energy and joy that one can’t but absorb it and contribute to it as well.

This blog wouldn’t be complete if I don’t mention about the two performances I attended – Sandeep Narayanan (Vocal) and Shobana (Bharatanatyam). Brilliant is an understatement. Both of them connected so beautifully with the audience. Exploration of their art form was so evident. The team of Vidwans who accompanied each of them, was a collaboration at work – so seamless and so well-woven.

Performances cannot be compared for which is the best; each one is unique. However, one can like one more than the other. Sandeep Narayanan’s performance stood out for me – When he speaks, his American accent is so so heard but when he sings, there is zilch trace of it. It requires immense effort, practice and training to have no trace of that accent, while singing. What I really loved was his connect with the audience and the musical conversation and banter between him and the accompanying Vidwans. A two and half hour concert which was magical indeed. His performnace may not be the same without his team of Vidwans, each one playing the Mridangam, Kanjeera and Violin respectively. Many of those (if not all) in the audience would have resonated with some song / note / aspect in the performance. Personally, it was a play of the five elements. At different times, I could feel an element at play – Prithvi (Earth), Apah (Water), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air) and Akahsa (Space). My own interpretation at work and I could feel the dance of the elements within me, listening to his rendition and the play of music. A standing ovation was most befitting for this performance!!

Expressing immense gratitude to all composers for their contributions; and the musicians for giving the musical expresstion (in whichever art form it may be) to these compositions.

Can’t but wonder – if music can give so much joy to the listener, how much joy it can give to a musician!!! The power of music!!

May the tribe of listeners and musicians increase, spreading more joy to themselves and to the world.

For some history of how the Margazhi Vizha originated and other details..

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rewinding-to-the-origins-of-margazhi/articleshow/72430619.cms

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_Music_Season