Welcome to Season 2017

It is good to be back for yet another December Season. Season 2017.

The season of music and dance here in Chennai we once called Madras!

This season begins on the cusp of this city being given the tag of Creative Cities by UNESCO and included in a long list of such cities around the world.

There have been some light debates on social media and a few opinion pieces in the city's dailies on whether the city deserves the new crown.

What convinced UNESCO to give this recognition to Chennai?

Some voices say much must be attributed to the throbbing, year-round Carnatic music and classical dance world here. There is no other city like this which has such a live classical concerts calendar, they say.

Other voices say that Carnatic music defines a small world of the city and there is more on the creative front that needs greater space in the public.

And still other voices want to recognise film, gaana and kuthu music which say much more about this metro. Add these to Carnatic music, they opine.

The debate is welcome. And necessary. 

Hopefully, it will extend into the December Season. Perhaps on a platform at a sabha.

Meanwhile, what is the weather going to be this December?

The first season of the monsoon is done: more rains are expected.  The season of cyclonic systems has also begun but Chennai has not been affected.

But do expect the city to be chill - sub-22 / 21 degrees at night.

So rasikas who love to stay on till the end of the final concerts of the day may want to bring along their warm clothes!