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Vol. XXXIV No. 18, January 1-15, 2025
Archives: Vol. XXXIV No. 18, January 1-15, 2025
December Music Season needs structural changes
-- by Sriram V
It has been around for 97 years, for the first such season was in 1927. Since then, this annual fixture on Chennai’s social and cultural calendar has had its ups and downs, more ups than downs – that is until the COVID pandemic. Since then, technological leaps and drastic changes in the modes of offering entertainment have precipitated a steep decline. The December Music Season that just got over witnessed drastic reduction in concert attendance at all venues and none but the most stellar among performers managed to pull in audiences at their various concerts. If the December Music Season is to survive its first century and confidently step into its second, it has to seriously rethink its model.
It was the COVID pandemic that really changed everything. Audiences began receiving the bulk of their entertainment at their homes. Carnatic music, faced as it has always been with an ageing audience, was hit far more and for far longer. Much of its fan base thereafter preferred to stay at home and listen to concerts being dished out for free, even after restrictions were lifted and events began for an in-person audience. Artistes sensed this change before the sabha-s. Many resorted to YouTube channels and a couple of front-rankers even ran their own sabha-s online. As to how these latter forays fared we do not know, but suffice it to say that the YouTube route has come to stay. That its revenue model is tailored to pay miniscule amounts is something artistes seem prepared to live with. They have at least managed a connect with their audiences.
This is exactly what the sabha-s were offering
The POSH Act – Let down in spirit, Application reforms the need of the hour
-- by Varsha V.
The Anna University sexual assault case has demonstrated yet again that our city and State have a long way to go in creating truly safe, inclusive places of work and study.
A brief review of the facts – in December, an Anna University student was sexually assaulted on campus. She had been in the company of a male friend when one Gunasekaran approached the couple, threatening them with blackmail; the friend was subsequently intimidated into leaving, following which the student was sexually assaulted. The survivor – along
Another phase of a new modern market
-- Pictures by Thamayandhi R.
Loop Road has been witness to innumerable stories. A new chapter has dawned with the modern fish market newly established by the Greater Chennai Corporation at Nochikuppam. The facility costing Rs. 9.97 crores was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in August 2024 and hopes to change the face of the fishing business in the city. It has 366 stalls of which 332 have been allotted to the fish vendors who were plying their trade on Loop Road.
Memories from Covid Years – Part I
-- by Karthik Nagappan
Thirupurasundari Sevvel directed our attention to two pieces written by Karthik Nagappan during the covid lockdown. The period evoked in the author fond memories of Chennai’s suburban trains and the vegetable market at T Nagar. Though covid has now been relegated to the past, we thought readers would enjoy the affection that shines
Reviving Anakaputhur’s Weaving Legacy: A Journey Towards Sustainability
-- by Geethanjali Rajakkannu
Anakaputhur is a suburb of Chennai that is home to a community of handloom weavers. It is especially well-known as the source of the famous Madras handkerchief, a nine-yard piece of colourful plaid cotton. For centuries, the fabric – now known the world over as Madras checks – was widely used by the populace in and around Madras. It was introduced
