CHENNAI'S NEW SYMPHONY

Having played host to international star Ed Sheeran, the city's concert scene is seeing a pleasant integration of traditional and western tunes

- Diya Maria George

CLASSICAL. Contemporary. Crossover. Chennai's music scene is dynamic—one that shifts, grows, and redefines itself with every passing season. From the nostalgia-laden symphonies of Ilaiyaraaja to the grandeur of AR Rahman's orchestrations, Anirudh's viral beats, the city thrums with a rhythm. Here, the sacred chants during the December music season share the stage with Margazhiyil Makkalisai's defiant drums, where parai artistes reclaim narratives and rap queens rewrite them. And now, etching a new verse into this sage, global icon Ed Sheeran graced Chennai, strumming his guitar with his chart-topping hits, and created a viral version of the famous Urvashi Urvashi. CE explores how Chennai's music scene is harmonising tradition and transformation, from temple courtyards to neon-lit arenas.