Chennai Mathematical Institute

Seminars




3.30 p.m.
Emergence of Chennai as a Centre of Music.

Mr.V.Sriram

07-10-09


Abstract

``Madras was founded on 22nd August 1639. At that time there were far greater cities in South India, including our very own Mylapore/San Thome. All of these were cultural centres and yet it was Madras, that from the 1750s or so became the centre for music, especially classical music. Perhaps the egalitarian nature of the city, as opposed to the earlier feudal cities had something to do with it. The emergence of the Sabhas as sponsors of music programmes was a unique Madras phenomenon. Then came the December music festival, with its awards, concerts and plenty of politics and controversies. All of these made the city a vibrant cultural capital. This talk will focus on this journey of 250 years or so''