If Delhi is the political capital and Mumbai is the financial capital of India, then Chennai qualifies to be the cultural capital of India.

The title of my blog is neither a hyperbole nor an expletive. I have been closely following the cultural events happening in Chennai. As a bon vivant Chennaiite, I have gone through an exhilarating experience of the cultural events held in Chennai. I'm writing this blog as an aficionado, as an obsequious rasika, as a keen listener, and as a true seeker. My objective is not to compare Chennai with any other city, but to highlight the cultural strengths of Chennai and its people.

For the sake of perceiving the cultural scenario in Chennai, I would like to classify the cultural events held in Chennai under the broad four categories namely, 1. Music, 2. Dance, 3. Drama, and 4. Discourses. Each of this category is an inclusive category. Without any prejudice, I am keeping out Cinema from the above classification of cultural events purely with an intention to cover only performing arts. But I have included film music under the category of music as it (especially old film music) forms part of the presentation format of cultural events.  

Just to elaborate on the four categories, Music includes Carnatic classical, Nama Sankeerthanam, Hindustani classical, Devotional, Bhajans, and Film music. Dance includes all forms of classical dances like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Odissi. Drama includes historical, spiritual, and contemporary comedy. Discourses include spiritual, biographical, and religious both in English and Tamil.

Chennai is a culturally strong city. It is the most happening city in terms of cultural events. The cultural events happening in Chennai in a year and then year after year are of a gargantuan range and magnitude.  If you open "The Hindu" newspaper and check the columns "Arts & Events" and "Chennai Today Events", you will realize the truth. Thanks to "The Hindu" Newspaper who give a very fair coverage to the cultural events in Chennai.

What makes it possible is the proactive role of various Sabhas & Trusts in organizing the events. Organizing alone does not ensure success of the events unless it is patronized by a large number of audience. Kudos to the culturally conscious and the  enthusiastic Chennaiites, whether young or old, irrespective of their caste or creed, they extend their unflinching patronage and support to all these cultural events. The veritable performances presented by various artists in their respective fields stand testimony to the creativity and brilliance in rendering the cultural events. The events are presented not only by veteran artists but also by upcoming, young talented artists. The young and old artists get equal opportunity to perform at the events. The eclectic performing artists create a format for an event by exquisitely designing it and presenting it in a variety of ways which makes it alluring for the audience. The ebullient audience get immersed in ecstasy.

In Chennai, the Carnatic music festival held in the months of December and January every year is a major festival organized by all the Sabhas. It still attracts huge audiences not only from India but also from foreign countries. This event is followed by a Dance festival organized by all the Sabhas in mid-January during Pongal season. Even during the summer months of June-July, Bhakti Sangeet Utsav, and Pallavi Durbar Utsav are held every year. Nama Sankeerthanam Utsav is held every year in October-November and in February. Discourses and Satsangs are held throughout the year on Sri Bhagavat Gita, Srimad Bhagavatham, Srimad Mahabharatam, Srimad Ramayanam and Bhakta Vijayam. Dramas are held throughout the year by different Sabhas. In addition to these, during festival times like Gokulashtami/Krishna Jayanthi  in August and Sri Rama Navami in March-April every year, music events and discourses are held by different Sabhas. Apart from these events, the Sabhas in Chennai organize monthly events for its members and non-members regularly every year. Therefore, the Organizers (Sabhas) the performing artists, and the audience remain busy and active throughout the year.

The notable features of cultural events are:-

1. Traditions are meticulously followed by the organizers and performing artists.
2. Respect to the various Elders, Gurus, and Preceptors, is extended by remembering their legacies and contributions.
3. Opportunity and encouragement to young talented artists are given and they get groomed properly.
4. The role of various organizers like Sabhas and Trusts, in organizing the events and programs throughout the year and then year after year repeatedly, is really commendable.
5. Events, programs, and formats are created, designed and presented in a brilliant manner by both the Sabhas and the performing artists.
6. Along with the veterans, the young upcoming talented artists are given equal opportunity.
7. The various Sabhas adapt themselves very well to change and accordingly events and programs are designed and presented.

We call a person or a family as a cultured person or cultured family. Sometimes we call an organization as a cultured organization. We often call the people of a city, state, or country as cultured. What do we really mean by it?

"Cultured" is characterized by:-  refined taste, manners, etiquette, well educated, cultivated, intellectually/artistically aware, enlightened, civilized, well read, well informed, learned, knowledgeable, discerning, discriminating, genteel, polished, and knows a lot about art, music, literature.

"Learning without thought is naught; thought without learning is dangerous." ~ Confucius.

"Behavior is the theory of manners practically applied." ~ MME. Necker.

"Culture is the cream of conduct. Culture, like all of life's blessings, cannot be hoarded- it is for service. Those who are wise give their culture away, and thus do they retain it. ~ Elbert Hubbard.

"Culture is to know the best that has been said and thought in the world." ~ Matthew Arnold.

In addition to the above, the definition, features and characteristics of culture are also given below:-

Definition of Culture

Culture means:-

1. the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
2. the habits, beliefs, customs, traditions, arts, ideas, and social behavior of a particular society, group, place or time.
3. the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic.
4. enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training.
5. the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education.
6. the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.

Features and Characteristics of Culture

1. Culture is learnt socially and not inherited biologically.
2. Culture is not an individual phenomena but it is the product of society. It develops in the society through social interaction.
3. Culture is shared by  common people of a territory. For example, customs, traditions, values, beliefs.
4. Culture is transmitted from one generation to the next. It is not transmitted through genes but through language and knowledge.
5. Culture is a continuous process. It is like a steady stream which is flowing from one generation to another through centuries.
6. Culture is accumulative and combines the suitable cultural traits.
7. Culture is integrated. All the cultural aspects are inter-connected with each other. For example, value system is interlinked with morality, customs, beliefs and religion.
8. Culture is changing and not static. Cultural process undergoes changes from society to society and from generation to generation.
9. Culture varies from society to society. It is not uniform everywhere. Every culture is unique.
10. Culture is gratifying and provide all the opportunities for needs and desires satisfaction. The needs may be biological or social.
11. Culture is responsive to the changing conditions of a physical world and helps humanity from all dangers and natural calamities.
12. Culture is closely linked with society. It binds the people within the society.

Chennai doesn't boast of:- a) a world class airport, b) well laid broad roads with pavements, c) adequate flyovers, d) gardens and parks, e) greenery, f) well managed traffic system on its roads, g) disciplined traffic, g) WiFi facilities, h)  enough vehicle parking lots, i) efficient and cost effective public transport like auto rickshaws and taxis, j) high civic sense among people, and k) effective civic agency.

What Chennai can boast of:- is its feisty, culturally conscious people, who have an ear for music and a taste for appreciation of cultural events.  Let us eulogize Chennai and Chennaiites for this. If Delhi is the political capital and Mumbai is the financial capital of India, then Chennai is the cultural capital of India.