Come Margazhi (a Tamil month), the state of Tamil Nadu in general and Chennai, the cultural capital of India in particular, exhibits a flurry of south Indian cultural moorings, and is home to musical extravaganza. The winter month, in a way, revives and enlivens the goings-on and inculcates discipline albeit weather conditions throwing up a lot of discomfort and night darkness elongating and spilling over even beyond 6.00 a.m. after which it dawns.
People in this season would generally have the proclivity to get up late because of winter conditions, but ‘Margazhi’ t raditions tame them up, make them wake up early and go about their daily chores as usual. The dampened spirit is lit up with intense heat of choral music called ‘ Bhajanai ’ in Tamil. A form of group singing — followed as a tradition and prescription by Hindu religion — starts in the thick of darkness and continues even beyond sunrise. Rising early in morning, taking bath and sporting a traditional attire of devout life, people would start joining in groups to carry on a humble, pious and disciplined way to singing. These exercises have an insulating effect on people who tend to be indolent, slothful and sluggish.
Choral singing would be a common scene, both indoor and outdoor, in this season. The highlight of musical series would be ‘ Thiruppaavai ’ and ‘ Thiruvambavai ’, the famous Tamil devotional hymns. It would be interesting to see devout people walking in groups in streets, lanes and by-lanes singing in chorus in praise and worship of different Hindu gods and saints, finally reaching a temple for further worship and poojas. In fact, more than a religious belief, it can be construed as a warming up exercise, both for the body and mind. The singing groups are kept mobile, which, in reality, is a direct physical exercise regimen necessary to impel and induce different organs of body to act in chill weather.
Walking, group singing, playing musical instruments and clapping as you walk along singing, are stress-busters as well. Oxygen level in air is expected to be the highest in atmosphere in the early hours of the day during ‘ Margazhi ’ (ozone effect) and it confers a beneficial effect on early morning walkers.
Women put ‘ Rangoli ’ kolam outside their houses in this month, and this helps them to breathe oxygen-rich air.
Our ancestors have left behind a legacy of leading a healthy way of live at this point of time of the year, putting a religious stamp on it.
During ‘ Margazhi ’, (December-January in English calendar), musical concerts are organised in temples and in different sabhas, and even beginners get an opportunity to showcase their skills.
While music lovers would have an exhilarating time listening to the music of famous and favourite singers, novices get an introduction into the world of music. Famous singers get an opportunity to reinforce and enrich their music skills and enthrall music lovers ( ‘rasikas’ ) who gather in large numbers not only from India but also from abroad.
It is really a hotbed for cultural confluence and synergy adding to the secular credentials of country and a shining example of unity in diversity.