Chennai, 13 January (H.S.) : As the month-long Margazhi music and dance season draws to a close in Chennai, lecture-demonstrations, commonly known as lec-dems, have emerged as a significant highlight for dedicated rasikas. While traditional concerts continue to dominate the seasonal calendar, these academic sessions provided an intimate space for learning and intellectual discussion.

This year, the sessions saw a steady interest from audiences keen on exploring the deeper, research-oriented aspects of Carnatic music, moving beyond the mere auditory experience of a standard performance.

Scholar and writer Dr Chithra Madhavan, a regular host of such sessions, stated that presenting a lec-dem requires profound research because the audience is highly knowledgeable. She noted that the response this year was amazing and indicated a growing awareness and interest in the niche field.

According to her, while the numbers cannot be compared to mainstream concerts, the engagement level remains high. She further explained that the morning schedules often limit the attendance of working professionals and students, though digital recordings have helped expand the reach to a global audience.

Young musician Archana Murali added that these demonstrations offer a refreshing chance to hear experts discuss their art outside the concert format. She highlighted that several sabhas, including the Music Academy, curated theme-based sessions such as those commemorating the 250th birth anniversary of Muthuswami Dikshitar.

Authorities and organizers believe that despite their niche appeal, lec-dems are becoming an integral part of the Margazhi experience, allowing music lovers to reflect on the layers of complexity behind every composition.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary