Tracing the history of Kanchipuram through texts and tunes
Tracing the history of Kanchipuram through texts and tunes
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Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan wears many hats — epigraphist, historian, researcher, and passionate advocate of heritage and literature. In a scholarly lec-dem on Kanchipuram, he seamlessly wove together music, literature, religion, tradition, architecture and dynasties. His delivery, marked by classic, free-flowing Tamil, held the audience in rapt attention. Vocal support was provided by Bhavya Hari, whose thoughtful choice of ragas and singing complemented the narrative.
![[Image: 2501_17_6_2025_5_31_46_3_DSC_6176.JPEG]](https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/1ugxi1/article69704055.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2501_17_6_2025_5_31_46_3_DSC_6176.JPEG)
Organised by Sruti Sampada and titled ‘Kanchipuram in Raga and Rhythm’, the lec-dem traced 2,000 years of the Temple City’s storied history, at Arkay Convention Center recently. At its heart, the lecture was also a clarion call to Carnatic musicians — urging them to expand their repertoire by embracing and popularising Tamil devotional compositions, many of which remain underrepresented on the concert stage.
Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan wears many hats — epigraphist, historian, researcher, and passionate advocate of heritage and literature. In a scholarly lec-dem on Kanchipuram, he seamlessly wove together music, literature, religion, tradition, architecture and dynasties. His delivery, marked by classic, free-flowing Tamil, held the audience in rapt attention. Vocal support was provided by Bhavya Hari, whose thoughtful choice of ragas and singing complemented the narrative.
Organised by Sruti Sampada and titled ‘Kanchipuram in Raga and Rhythm’, the lec-dem traced 2,000 years of the Temple City’s storied history, at Arkay Convention Center recently. At its heart, the lecture was also a clarion call to Carnatic musicians — urging them to expand their repertoire by embracing and popularising Tamil devotional compositions, many of which remain underrepresented on the concert stage.
