Artists part of the ‘Kutty Kutchery Festival 2025’ line-up
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
December is here. It is that time of the year when sweaters and monkey caps make an appearance to battle chilly Chennai evenings.
It is also that time of the year when Carnatic music and classical dance play out in various sabhas (performing spaces). But the sabha can be intimidating for some, and a little too formal for others.
At Kutty Kutchery Festival 2025, which kickstarts in the city this Saturday (December 13), the tone is intentionally informal and conversational — ensuring proximity, dialogue, and connection between artiste and audience.
The current third edition of the 10-day festival will be a celebration of Indian performing arts, including 10 performative conversations across classical, folk, contemporary dance, music, and theatre. “From Carnatic music to classical Portuguese traditions, from traditional and experimental natyam — spanning classical, folk, and contemporary storytelling — to musical shadow puppetry, from ancient instrument ensembles to contemporary classical works and vibrant tribal music, this edition gathers artistic voices that are reflective, fearless, and reshaping the contours of creative expression,” says Laasya Narasimhachari, founder-director, Rasoham, a public charitable trust and multi-venture arts organisation, which curates the festival.
Laasya Narasimhachari, founder-director of Rasoham
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Each curated 75-minute performative conversation will include a performance segment, personal artistic stories that have contextual references to the history and evolution of the art form, besides an interaction with the audience. “It is a quiet cultural shift — an art revolution during Margazhi — one that is accessible, inclusive, and transformative,” she adds.
Among the artistes featured in this year’s edition are Vyjayanthi Kashi (Kuchipudi), Funky Bodhi and the Irular Ensemble (tribal folk music), OS Arun (Carnatic) and Anil Srinivasan, Sikkil Gurucharan and Madhan Karky (contemporary Carnatic music). Audiences will also have a glimpse into some shadow puppetry (The Open House), Fado (featuring Sonia Shirsat) and Harikatha (Vishaka Hari), among other performances.
Over the years, this festival has played out at terraces, art galleries, cafes and yoga studios. This year will be no different – with venues including Narthaki Studio, Vinyl and Brew, House of Kavyam and Hanu Reddy Residences, among others. “We believe that space becomes an experience,” explains Laasya, adding, “The festival seeks to be a place where arts return to what they have always been: a shared human celebration.”
Kutty Kutchery Festival 2025 will be held from December 13 to 22, 2025. Entry is free, but registration is mandatory. To register, visit rasoham.org
Published – December 09, 2025 02:19 pm IST
