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The Chennai Dance and Music Festival
is held every year in Chennai from mid December
to mid January. The month long musical extravaganza
is a celebration of classical music and dances of
South India and features performances by various
artistes from different parts of India. The festival
is held at various venues around the city. These
include auditoriums, well-known temple premises
and heritage bungalows. The festival, popularly
known as the `Margazhi Festival of Dance and Music'
started way back in 1927 to commemorate the anniversary
of Madras Music Academy. It was later adopted by
various organizations, which held art festivals
in different parts of the city. The Tamil month
of `Marghazi' is considered a sacred month by the
Hindus and South Indian classical music, which is
devotional in nature, has been a traditional form
of worship from time immemorial. The festival attracts
Indians from all over the world and gives a glimpse
of our rich cultural heritage. Performances include
Vocal and Instrumental music, Dance - solo and group.
The festival provides wonderful opportunity for
upcoming artistes to display their talent. The weather
is cool and very pleasant at this time of the year.
Information about the tickets and venues can be
obtained from the tourism office, Chennai.
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| Swingers: An
innovative studio of dance, Swingers caters to
the western dance culture that is becoming increasingly
popular in Chennai. Swingers are also into event
management. They organized the Millennium event
at the MGM Beach resort. Swingers have various
dance courses for all age groups. The classes
are divided into three levels - Beginner's, Elementary
and Intermediate. Fundamental 'Jazz' is for juniors
and teens. Jazz itself has three levels - level
A, level B and level C. Take classes in Latin-American
dance, Cha-Cha-Cha, Lambada, Samba, Ballroom,
Quick Step, Foxtrot, Special Party Dance, Disco
Funk and Club Salsa. Crash courses are conducted
in the months of April and May. Swingers also
have a branch in Kilpauk Garden. Located at Challa
Mall, 605, 6th Floor, 11, Sir Thyagaraya Road,Pondy
bazaar, Chennai 600 017,
Kalakshetra:
Founded in 1936, by Rukmini Devi Arundale and
her husband Dr George Arundale, Kalakshetra has
played a significant part in the revival of Indian
art and crafts; especially the dance form of Bharatnatyam.
Kalakshetra is situated on a sprawling 100-acre
campus at Adyar. Students enjoy greenery and the
sea while learning the traditional dance and music.
Today, some of the most respected exponents in
the performing arts are products of Kalakshetra.
The School of Dance draws inspiration from the
ancient 'Gurukulam' system (where the Student
or Sishya lived with, learnt from and served the
Teacher or Guru). The Kalakshetra Foundation comprises
the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, the Besant
Arundale Senior Secondary School, the Besant Theosophical
High School, the Craft Education and Research
Centre, the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium and
the Dr U. V. Swaminatha Iyer Library. Located
Kalakshetra Foundation, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai
- 600 041.
Kuchipudi Art Academy:
Eminent teacher Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam founded
this Academy in 1963 to promote graceful Kuchipudi
dance originating in Northern Andhra Pradesh.
Located at 105,Greenway's Road.
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