Chennai Sangamam, a rich confluence of cultures

Chennai, Feb 25 (UNI) Though rock or pop finds no mention in the annals of Dravidian culture but concerts organised at the popular Elliots Beach here have been so successful that they prove the week-long cultural festival 'Chennai Sangamam' is of an eclectic nature.

As resident, clad in Western attire, listened to items rolling into one another seamlessly, the quiet beach came alive with flashing lights and giddy energy.

The beat of the drum and the of the guitar provided the accompaniment for the lead singer, who shook his head in accordance with the rhythm.

Even though the words were not too clear, but nobody minded, for there was an obvious longing for heavy metal genre in the enthusiasts present.

For Aranha, an IT employee, the allure of live concerts is the amped-up bass, and the watts pumping at maximum through the speakers.

'The vibrations we can pick up are great' she said, adding, 'We can actually feel the music better than hearing it on tape.' There was a discordant note, though, from Ramanarayan, a retired government servant. 'This is cultural degradation. When on one side the DMK Government is promoting classical Tamil language and culture.

On the other they are promoting Western culture by organising concerts like this. We are confused. It's dangerous to stand on two boats at the same time, he asserted.

However, the organisers of 'Chennai Sangamam' had stated clearly that they were including Western Music in the large number of programmes on array for the fest from February 21 to 26 as Chennai was a ''metropolis with an amalgam of different cultures.'' Finishing of with the Western part of the festival before moving on to the main focus -- the traditional arts, crafts and folk forms of Tamil Nadu -- Handel Manuel, is perhaps Chennai's first pianist, put up a devotional music show, in which performers from all religions participated.

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