Music Academies In Madras

Since Chennai is reckoned to be the  culture capital of the south India.All this music academies boasts  the culture programs on Carnatic music and traditional dance which is a must experience for everyone who visits this city.

Music Academies

Hamsadhwani

                             It is Established in August 1990, in Adyar with the blessings of Carnatic music legend Sri Semangudi Srinivasa Iyer. Hamsadhwani was started to nurture and spread a treasured cultural heritage of music, dance, drama and other performing arts. The organization holds Carnatic music concerts by renowned maestros and young talented artists. Hamsadhwani conducts its megavanza, every March to May, cornering the attention of rasikas and musicians.

Chennai Music Academies

                             The music season starts from December in the city. This period offers a treat of concerts, conferences, competitions and workshops in Carnatic Music. The hub of all this activity is, the ChennaiMusicAcademy. When the history of classical music is written, the activities of the Music Academy, spanning over six decades, is bound to form an important part of the annals.the Academy was  Inaugurated by Sir C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar in the autumn of 1928, the Academy has since exerted a chastening influence on public taste in music.

Rasika Ranjani Sabha

                             One of the oldest sabhas in the city, Rasika Ranjani Sabha has been a catalyst in promoting ting classical music and dance in the region. Besides hosting concerts of renowned musicians and dancers, the sabha conducts music classes for vocal and a few select string and percussion instruments. It is  Established in 1930, the sabha has been the venue of several memorable performances by doyens of music – Musuri Subramaniya Iyer, Ariyakudi Ramanunja Iyengar, Palghat Mani Iyer, Mannargudi Sambasiva Iyer, Rajarathinam Pillai, Mysore Duraiswamy Iyengar and Balakrishna Sastrigal. Apart from its usual monthly programmes, the sabha has been conducting an annual Music and Dance Festival in December and a dance week during the Navarathri celebrations.

Kalakshetra

                              It is founded in 1936, by Rukmini Devi Arundale and her husband Dr George Arundale, Kalakshetra has played a significant part in the revival of Indian art and crafts; especially the dance form of Bharatnatyam. Kalakshetra is situated on a sprawling 100-acre campus at Adyar. Students enjoy greenery and the sea while learning the traditional dance and music.[1] Today, some of the most respected exponents in the performing arts are products of Kalakshetra. The School of Dance draws inspiration from the ancient ‘Gurukulam’ system (where the Student or Sishya lived with, learnt from and served the Teacher or Guru). The Kalakshetra Foundation comprises the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, the BesantArundale Senior Secondary School, the Besant Theosophical High School, the Craft Education and Research Centre, the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium and the Dr U. V. Swaminatha Iyer Library.  Kalakshetra Foundation is Located in Tiruvanmiyur also.

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[1]   Ibid,p.155

Concert by Dr.M. Balamurali Krishna II (Photo credit: balaji shankar)

Kalakshetra Foundation (Photo credit: Sankarapandian)