Chennai in November , December and January!

I must write about the 3 beautiful months, that we Chennaiites feel very proud of! These are the best months here and if you enjoy the performing arts, - music, dance, drama, - and the sports (tennis) scene, this is the place to be in!
Starting November we have the The Hindu November fest sponsored by the Hindu, and the Drama festival , where we have plays from different places in India and also from other countries. A week of top class plays. And then the November Fest where you have again musicians from India and abroad from different genres performing here. A treat , really.
We start December with The Other Festival( it is now called The park's new Festival) - a brainchild of Anita Ratnam and R anvir Shah who bring in varied and very contemporary dance forms from all over. This heralds the beginning of the Chennai Music and Dance season here! Through December we have the most amazing music kutcheries, workshops, conferences, dance recitals, dance dramas, not to mention the best food that the sabha canteens churn out! This is one month where the veetu sappadu takes a back seat. Even if you dont attend a kutcheri, never mind, you can always visit the canteens , to taste mouth watering food!
Ending the month is the much awaited Kalakshetra festival, which usually happens during the last 10 days of he month.Their dance dramas are something! The costumes, the ambience of the kerala style auditorium, and dancers! A truly visual and auditory treat!
Come january, the dances continue after the music takes a back seat. And we have this great sporting event to look forward to- The Chennai Open , the annual tennis matches , which was Vijay Amritraj,s present to his beloved Chennai.Though we may not get the top rung players, we have seen some great players here.A week of tennis excitement, where we have reguarly gone for a couple of matches most years.
Then comes the Chennai Sangamam, (check out their website) a wonderful event, in its 4 th year, which was conceptualized by Kanimozhi, MP,( karunanidhi's daughter) and father Jesper Raj.Coming during Pongal time for a week, it showcases tamil folk arts-music dance and plays, at different parks, beaches and other places all over Chennai.The whole city wears a festive look, and you cannot miss their slogan 'Thiruvizha, engal theruvizha'. Besides folk performances, they also have carnatic , rock and other forms pf music.which is part of Chennai today. And the best part of all this is the food. Very typical Tamil cuisine from different parts of Tamilnadu, prepared in 5 star kitchens. 5 star food, served very hygeinically at street food rates! The only time and maybe the only place this can happen! Their madurai jigardhanda drink, is something to die for. We normally take bottles to fill them up with and have at home.The last day of the festival is a parade on the Eliots(Besant nagar) beach where all the participants come in a parade, dancing and singing away in all their traditional finery and gather there . We try not to miss this. And of course for a last mouth of the jigardnada and other delicacies.
The one last event which is again a big draw is IIT's Sarang, which normally brings January and all good things to an end. Even as the month slowly draws to a close and the chill (!)( I can hear some of you sniggering!) gives way to warmer weather, my heart feels heavy.That we have to wait one more year for the festivities to begin. Till then adieu.