Chennai Dance & Music Festival

Chennai Music and Dance Festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India. The festival is also commonly called as the Margazhi Festival of Dance & Music and continues from mid December to mid January. The month long musical extravaganza features performances by various renowned artistes from different parts of India. The festival is held at various venues around the city like auditoriums, well-known temple premises and heritage bungalows. The city comes alive with the festival, which has developed into a cultural display with more than 2000 participants in over 300 concerts. The festival also known as December Season also attracts expatriate Indians and scholars from around the world.

History
The Chennai Music and Dance Festival started in the year 1927 to commemorate the anniversary of Madras Music Academy. It was later adopted by various organizations, which held art festivals in different parts of the city. The Tamil month of `Marghazi' is considered a sacred month by the Hindus and South Indian classical music, which is devotional in nature, has been a traditional form of worship from time immemorial. Therefore the period was considered appropriate for the celebration of the festival.
The Festival's Glory
The festival attracts many Indians from all over the world and gives a glimpse of our rich culture and tradition. Our rich cultural heritage is showcased in the number of performances that include Vocal and Instrumental music, dance - solo or group. In the music categories, there are both vocal as well as Instrumental music performances. The instruments used include Thavil (percussion instrument), Mridangam (drum), Flute, Ghatam (a mud pot), Veena (a large string instrument), Goottuvadyam (similar to Veena but without frets), etc. The festival also gives great scope and opportunity to the budding artists to exhibit their talent on such a wide platform.

Facts
Place - Chennai
Starts - 1st January, 2007
Finishes - 31st January, 2007
Organised By - Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, Coimbatore
Local Transport - Taxis, Buses and Rickshaws
Getting There
Air: Meenampakkam Airport (7 km) in Chennai has both domestic and international terminals. Regular flights connect Chennai with the major cities within the country and also with countries abroad.

Rail: Chennai is well connected by rail with the important towns and cities within and beyond the state.

Road: State transport buses and private buses connect Chennai with the major towns and cities within the country. For local transportation local trains, city buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are available.