A cultural confluence in Chennai where classical and folk art meet Premium

Chennai Sangamam, a folk festival in Chennai, brings together classical and folk art forms, providing financial support to artists.

December is the month of festivals, and music fills the air in Chennai, the actual and cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. The December music season during the Tamil month of Margazhi, is one of the largest music events in the world, as thousands of concerts are performed in the span of a month, and visitors arrive from all parts of the world to enjoy the culture in the rare, salubrious weather the month offers.

The December season and the musical tradition have become such a  global phenomenon over the years that UNESCO has recognised Chennai in its Creative Cities Network, for its rich musical tradition. The season, however, largely, remains within the confines of, and is dominated by classical music and dance. In 2007, this changed.

That year, the city, used to the classical notes of the Carnatic trinity and the hymns of Andal, Manickavasakar and other composers, was suddenly exposed to the beats and rhythms of of parai, naiyandi melam, kaniyaan koothu and innumerable folk instruments and the singing of folk artistes at various public spaces, easily accessible by all. Music and culture was at the doorsteps of the people and on the streets and parks, no longer confined to air-conditioned auditoria. This season marked the arrival of Chennai Sangamam, a folk festival organised by the then DMK government.

Despite the clear divide between “classical” and “folk” which is also drawn on the lines of caste and location (urban versus rural), the Chennai Sangamam created a platform for the coming together of classical and folk art performers, and offered a continuity to Chennai’s musical tradition beyond the month of Margazhi. Everything, however, came to an abrupt halt after the change of regime in 2011. The DMK’s return to power in 2021, after a gap of 10 years, saw the resumption of Chennai Sangamam, which gave Chennai’s parks and public avenues rustic charm and music, for four days.

“We launched the Sangamam in 2007 to sustain folk arts that were languishing for want of support. It continued for four years and gave the much needed publicity, recognition and support to folk artistes. Artistes who participated in Chennai Sangamam could enter the film world, toured foreign countries and also found the next generation keen on learning these arts,” said DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, who was instrumental in initiating the idea of and organising the festival.

The inauguration of the Chennai Sangamam always featured special themes that provided space for the meeting of classical and folk art forms. So impressed was then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with the arrangements that he expressed his appreciation openly. 

Though resumed in a modest manner in 2021, the event gained momentum this year, as more artistes expressed their desire to participate in the festival. “Santhosh Narayanan scored the music for the inaugural show last year. Paul Jacob came forward to do it this year, because it was he who scored the music for the first edition of Chennai Sangamam,” Ms Kanimozhi said.