Travel back to Madras with ‘Music on Mount Road’

The event, to be held between 5 pm and 7 pm on Thursday, is organised as a curtain raiser to the December music festival and elaborates on the tag given by UNESCO to the creative city for its music, said Niveditha Louis, history enthusiast and organiser. Be it the more than a thousand-year-old instrument, Yazh, or the African djembe, there is a long-standing link between the two, she said. 

“Mount Road was the link between Fort St George and the outskirts of the city that ended with the Adyar river. With cupolas and roundtanas and trams plying through it, the road witnessed the best of its time around 150 years ago. It was also a flourishing business district.” So how did music fit in—one might ask. She added, “On the same road is the Music Development Research Centre which revived the Yazh so anyone who wants to relish the music can walk in have a look.” 

Not just instruments and vocals, but also the outputs play a pivotal role in music. Popular for being the father of the audio industry in India is John Thankachan, who, through his firm, Torvin Audio Systems, brought about a revolution. 

“John Thankachan started the ‘make in India’ concept 40 years ago through his extensive work. He revived the lo-cal audio industry through his phenomenal work by delivering a unique music experience to listeners. In fact, a six-foot-tall speaker that he developed gives the best output. He also has a whopping private collection of gramophones, and various kinds of audio mixers, a one-of-a-kind curation in the country - these are housed on Mount Road” she said.

The last stop would be Musee Musicals that has been historical with geniuses like Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman associated with it. “For the last 175 years, they have been associated with musical instruments and Western music education. They have also been conducting practical and theoretical exams representing the Trinity College. They are now located on what was once an elephant stable, housing the elephants of Parthasarathy temple”.

For those interested to participate, the tour will start from Vasan Avenue. The organisers have made arrangements for transport, though the public can take the tour on their own vehicles as well.