A view of the audience at The Park for Madras Week 2018

Aug 20 – The Madras Musings lecture series featured Rosella Stephen in conversation with Music Director Santosh Narayanan, and Gaana stars Tenma and Arivu on why the music of North Chennai is really going places. The venue, The Park, was overflowing and the music, by the members of the Casteless Collective (what a lovely name!), as well the conversation, had the energy levels pumped up. Everyone went home with smiles and a flurry of selfies. My happy moment was when I asked of anyone remembered a Gaana song featuring the cinema theatres of Madras, which I had heard over 20 years ago. To my delight, one of the band immediately belted it out.

Rosella in conversation with Santosh Narayanan and the Casteless Collective

Aug 21 – This evening featured Hotel Savera’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The food and hospitality were excellent. A good time was had by all.

Shylaja Chetlur and Nina Reddy at the Savera Event

You can read MadrasWeek2018 diary part 1 here