Memorial Carnatic Concert in Chennai | Ragasudha Hall Aug 29
A memorial Carnatic concert in Chennai takes place this Saturday evening, and the line-up carries real weight. Seetha Narayanan performs the Guru Bombay S. Ramachandran Memorial Concert at Ragasudha Hall on August 29, 2026, from 6:15 PM.
Rukmini Arts & Music Trust presents the programme. Moreover, the ensemble includes a kanjira alongside the mridangam. Therefore, the percussion side of the evening promises unusual depth.
Event Details at a Glance
Concert: Guru Bombay S. Ramachandran Memorial Concert
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM
Venue: Ragasudha Hall, 85/2, 3/2 Luz Avenue, Bhaskarapuram, Mylapore, Chennai 600004
Landmark: Near Nageshwararao Park
Organiser: Rukmini Arts & Music Trust, Besant Nagar
Event Type: Classical Music — Vocal
Contact: 044 2499 2672
The Ensemble for This Memorial Carnatic Concert in Chennai
Four artists share the stage.
Seetha Narayanan — Vocal. She leads the concert. Consequently, her raga choices shape the arc of the whole evening.
Dr. Usha Rajagopalan — Violin. She provides melodic accompaniment and answers the vocal line throughout.
Sherthalai Ananthakrishnan — Mridangam. He anchors the rhythmic foundation of every piece.
Nerkunam Dr. S. Sankar — Kanjira. He adds a second percussion layer alongside the mridangam.
Why the Kanjira Makes This Special
Most concerts run with vocal, violin and mridangam alone. However, this one adds a kanjira, and the difference is immediately audible.
The kanjira is a small frame drum with a single jingle set into its rim. Because the player controls pitch by adjusting the skin tension with one hand, the instrument produces remarkable tonal range for its size. Furthermore, its sound sits higher and sharper than the mridangam.
Watch for the tani avartanam especially. During this percussion solo, the mridangam and kanjira exchange rhythmic phrases back and forth. In fact, regular listeners often name this segment as the highlight of any concert featuring both.
Why Memorial Concerts Carry Weight
Guru concerts honour teachers who shaped the tradition through their students. Carnatic music has always passed down through the guru-shishya relationship.
Consequently, memorial programmes usually draw a serious audience. Students, fellow musicians and longtime listeners attend together. So expect an attentive room rather than a casual one.
About Ragasudha Hall
Ragasudha Hall sits on Luz Avenue in Bhaskarapuram, close to Nageshwararao Park. The venue holds a modest audience.
Therefore, the space feels intimate. For a vocal concert with layered percussion, that closeness genuinely helps — you catch detail that a large auditorium would flatten.
How to Reach the Venue
A few tips help before any memorial Carnatic concert in Chennai:
Arrive by 6:00 PM. Seating is limited, and memorial concerts draw good crowds.
Use the park as your landmark. Autos recognise Nageshwararao Park instantly.
Plan your parking. Luz Avenue’s side streets stay narrow. So park on a main road and walk.
Call ahead. Reach 044 2499 2672 to confirm admission and seating.
Plan Your Saturday in Mylapore
Mylapore rewards an early arrival. Kapaleeshwarar Temple stands minutes away, and Luz Corner offers filter coffee and tiffin before the concert.
Finally, keep tracking Chennai classical music events with us. Between memorial concerts, festivals and the December Margazhi season, Mylapore stays busy nearly every week.
Final Thoughts
A tribute programme, an intimate hall and a four-artist ensemble with kanjira — this memorial Carnatic concert in Chennai makes a strong case for your Saturday evening. Reach Ragasudha Hall by 6:00 PM and settle in before the first piece.
