Introduction
Madras Sangeetha Season, also known as the Chennai Music Season, is the world’s largest and most prestigious festival of Carnatic classical music. Held annually in Chennai (formerly Madras) during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January), this grand cultural celebration attracts thousands of music lovers, scholars, and artists from across the globe.
What began as a modest initiative by the Madras Music Academy in 1927 has now blossomed into a month-long festival featuring hundreds of concerts, lecture-demonstrations, and dance performances across multiple venues, known as sabhas. Some of the most respected veteran musicians and promising young artists perform in packed halls, making this a pilgrimage for Carnatic music enthusiasts.
Beyond music, the festival is also an occasion to celebrate Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance forms. Accompanied by a vibrant cultural atmosphere, traditional cuisine, and intellectual discussions, the Madras Sangeetha Season stands as a living heritage of South Indian classical arts.
It is not just a festival—it is a spiritual and artistic confluence, where the timeless beauty of raagas and talas comes alive, echoing the divine essence of Indian music. Whether you are a seasoned rasika (connoisseur) or a curious listener, the Chennai Music Season promises an unforgettable experience of soul-stirring melodies and rich tradition.