Carnatic Concert at Arkay Convention Center | Sep 8, Mylapore
A Carnatic concert at Arkay Convention Center takes place tomorrow, and the accompanying line-up deserves attention. V. K. Manimaran performs in Mylapore on September 8, 2026, from 6:15 PM.
Madhuradhwani presents the programme. Moreover, the ensemble brings both mridangam and ghatam to the stage. Therefore, the percussion side of the evening carries real depth.
Event Details at a Glance
Concert: Carnatic Concert — Vocal Event
Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM
Venue: Arkay Convention Center, 146/3 OMS Lakshana, Royapettah High Road
Landmark: Near Luz, Mylapore, Chennai 600004
Organiser: Madhuradhwani
Event Type: Classical Music — Vocal
Contact: 044-2466 1130 / 044-6642 1453
The Ensemble Performing Tomorrow
Four artists share the stage.
V. K. Manimaran — Vocal. He leads the concert. Consequently, his raga choices shape the arc of the whole evening.
Nagai R. Muralidharan — Violin. He provides melodic accompaniment and answers the vocal line.
Trivandrum V. Balaji — Mridangam. He anchors the rhythmic foundation of every piece.
N. Guruprasad — Ghatam. He adds a second percussion voice alongside the mridangam.
Why the Ghatam Addition Matters
Many concerts run with vocal, violin and mridangam alone. However, this one adds a ghatam, and the difference is immediately audible.
The ghatam is a clay pot played with fingers, palms and wrists. Because it produces a drier, sharper attack than the mridangam, the two instruments complement rather than duplicate each other.
Watch for the tani avartanam especially. During this percussion solo, both players exchange rhythmic phrases back and forth. In fact, regular listeners often name this segment as the highlight of any Carnatic concert at Arkay Convention Center or elsewhere that features both.
What to Expect During the Concert
Carnatic concerts follow a recognisable arc.
The opening. The vocalist usually begins with a varnam or a brisk kriti to set the tempo.
The main raga. Then the pace settles into an extended treatment with alapana, kriti, neraval and kalpanaswaram.
The tani avartanam. Percussion takes over for a solo section.
The closing set. Finally, lighter pieces such as thillanas and devotional compositions round off the evening.
However, artists rarely announce a fixed list in advance. Instead, they read the room and adjust. So no two evenings unfold identically.
About Madhuradhwani
Madhuradhwani organises concerts, talks and lecture series from its Mylapore base. The organisation runs programmes through the year rather than only during the December season.
Consequently, series like this give artists stage time outside the crowded Margazhi window. Additionally, they let audiences discover performers they might not otherwise encounter.
How to Reach the Venue
A few tips help:
Arrive by 6:00 PM. Weekday concerts start on time, and seating fills steadily.
Use Luz Corner as your landmark. Autos recognise it instantly.
Plan your parking. Royapettah High Road stays busy after 6 PM. So park on a main road and walk.
Call ahead. Reach 044-2466 1130 to confirm admission and seating details.
Plan Your Evening in Mylapore
Mylapore rewards an early arrival. Kapaleeshwarar Temple stands minutes away. Likewise, the Mada Streets offer filter coffee and tiffin before the concert.
Finally, keep tracking Chennai classical music events with us. Between year-round series and the December Margazhi season, Mylapore stays busy almost every week.
Final Thoughts
A senior vocalist, a strong accompanying team and a full percussion line-up — this Carnatic concert at Arkay Convention Center makes a fine Tuesday evening plan. Reach by 6:00 PM and settle in before the first piece.
