Beyond the kutcheri: Margazhi’s quieter acts of giving

For most rasikas , Margazhi is synonymous with classical music, dance, sabhas and food trails. But look closer and another narrative unfolds — one that runs parallel to the kutcheri buzz. Away from the limelight, many artistes use the season to amplify causes, widen access, and extend support to communities outside the Sabhas ’ spotlight. Veterans such as Sudha Ragunathan (Samudhaaya Foundation), Bombay Jayashri Ramnath (SDET) and OS Arun have woven philanthropy into their musical journeys, showing Margazhi’s spirit stretches beyond concert halls.

Expanding who gets a platformThrough his Alapana Trust, OS Arun continues to create opportunities for emerging and differently abled artistes. His annual competition is part of this ongoing effort. “I don’t do this out of sympathy for them. The children are immensely talented and I want to provide them a platform to showcase their talents,” he says.

Carnatica Foundation’s KN Shashikiran echoes the belief that the season must serve a broader community. With focus on supporting artistes with disabilities, he says, “Some are enormously talented… if you hear them play, see them dance, there’s no difference between them and others.”

For him, the way forward is clear: “It is important to do festivals that feature everyone… Such initiatives should become mainstream. They need not our sympathies, only support.”

Redefining what Margazhi includesFor Ranjini Kaushik, curator of Margazhi Matram, inclusivity shapes the identity of the season. The sixth edition foregrounds artistes with disabilities, PIO artistes, folk and transgender performers, and other under-represented groups. She aims to create thematic, multisensory experiences that question and expand what Margazhi can hold. “We want to showcase how the concert experience can be more immersive and inclusive by coming up with thematic topics that include thoughtprovoking aspects such as cross-disciplinary and cross cultural and also what being inclusive really means,” she stresses.

Using darkness to illuminatePianist Anil Srinivasan’s Concert In The Dark, which was held on December 10, is another reminder that Margazhi’s canvas is larger than classical tradition. With proceeds going to the Gnanadharshan Seva Foundation for visually disabled women, the concert strips away sight to draw attention to empathy.

“Ever since this decision to contribute everything to charity, I’ve seen that my work has spread to multiple projects,” Anil says. “The Concert In The Dark has been growing in scope every year… I only hope we are able to sustain it and reach the 10th, 15th editions.”

Blindfolded, with purposeAn unexpected addition to Concert In The Dark was Khatija Rahman, who says the concept “inspired” her. Performing blindfolded made her “nervous”, but the purpose was clear: “When the opportunity to be a part of a cause that helps people comes your way, you want to take it up.”

Acts of giving that feel naturalCarnatic singer Sikkil C Gurucharan says service is inseparable from the artistic journey. “For every artiste, an act of kindness towards his community… is kind of given,” he says. “It has to be a very natural act.”

Working with groups like NalandaWay Foundation and Sankalp, he hopes the season itself becomes more outward-looking — “a musical celebration” for special children and destitute communities as well.

Written By: Praveen Kumar S