Margazhiyil Makkalisai (People’s Music in Margazhi) begins grandly in Chennai on December 26th.
The grand music festival ‘Margazhiyil Makkalisai’, initiated by director Pa. Ranjith’s Neelam Cultural Centre, is set to take place for the sixth consecutive year on December 26th, 27th, and 28th at the Pachaiyappa’s College grounds in Chennai.
‘Margazhiyil Makkalisai’ has been staged in 12 venues across four districts in Tamil Nadu and three other states.
Hundreds of musicians have participated under six musical genres: folk music, Gaana, lament songs, tribal music, rap, and hip hop. More than three thousand individual artists have performed. A total of 43 music groups have participated so far, including 35 from Tamil Nadu and 8 from other states.
Neelam Cultural Centre has been organizing the ‘Margazhiyil Makkalisai’ event for the past five years. Besides showcasing the music that has been neglected in this land, it also presents the ‘Makkalisai Mamani’ award to honor the contributions of senior musicians. So far, 19 folk musicians have received this award. In this year’s edition, the senior artists who will receive the ‘Makkalisai Mamani’ award are:
- Tharumammal (Raja Rani dance artist, lament singer)
In the 1970s, in the Madurai region, men would often play female roles in folk art performances, particularly in the Raja Rani dance. Later, women began to enter this art form. In this context, transgender individuals, after facing various internal and external struggles, began to participate in folk arts. They also formed their own groups and started conducting performances. The pioneering artist of this history is Tharumammal. She has made a significant contribution to folk music for over 35 years through various forms such as lamentations, lullabies, songs about accidents, songs about mysterious murders, and propaganda songs.
- S. Moorthy (Nadaswaram Artist)
He comes from a family with a long tradition of playing the Nadaswaram and Thavil. He started playing the Nadaswaram at the age of 19. Due to his musical family background, he has nurtured many musicians in his surrounding area. He has consistently participated in various programs conducted by the Department of Art and Culture of the Andaman, New Delhi, and Puducherry governments. Despite facing numerous economic hardships, he has not abandoned the music he believes in and continues to contribute to the world of music, while also serving as a mentor who has trained many artists.
Neelam Cultural Centre is proud to present the ‘Makkalisai Mamani’ award to these two musicians.
In the upcoming ‘Margazhi Makkalisai’ event, a three-day program to be held on December 26, 27, and 28 at the Pachaiyappan College grounds in Chennai, 550 solo artists, 20 music groups, and musicians from 6 languages will participate. Political leaders, social activists, writers, and film artists, along with many other personalities who are enthusiastic about such initiatives, will also participate and grace the event.
🗓️ Date: December 26, 27 & 28, 2025.
Pachaiyappan College Grounds, Poonamallee High Road, Chennai.
