SPIC MACAY southern regional convention celebrates classical and folk arts

Nearly 300 participants from Southern India participated in the Southern Regional Convention 2025 of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) hosted by the Shirmati Indira Gandhi College in the city last week.

Apart from witnessing a slew of performance by various artistes, the participants underwent intensive hands-on training under the senior artistes during the four-day event. After two-hour yoga sessions in the morning, the training covered various art forms including tholpavakoothu (Shadow Puppetry), bommalattam, mohiniyattam, kuchipudi, kathak, kathakali, carnatic vocal, terracotta pottery, palm leaf weaving and cheriyal painting. Students divided into 10 groups of 30 participants each underwent the training.

The event commenced with a powerful nadaswaram recital by Vidwan Sheik Mahaboob Subhani and Vidushi Kaleeshabi Mehaboob, setting the tone for the convention. A performance of tholpavakoothu, Kerala’s traditional shadow puppetry, by K. K. Ramachandra Pulavar, captivated the participants.

The next day, the audience was treated to Mudrika Putthali, a unique puppetry performance by Dattatreya Aralikatte, an acclaimed puppeteer from Karnataka. A Carnatic violin concert by R.K. Shriramkumar and Amrutha Murali, and a veena recital by Jayanthi Kumaresh and ensemble concluded the day.

The vibrant Tamil cultural heritage was showcased through a villupattu performance by Bharathi Thirumagan and team on the third day. A kathakali performance by Sadanam P. V. Balakrishnan, and a Hindustani vocal concert by Pandit Vinayak Torvi, a distinguished exponent of the Gwalior and Kirana gharanas, provided a treat for participants.

Interactive workshops and dialogues with the maestros kept the participants busy on the final day, offering them a deeper understanding of each art form. The closing session featured an impressive line-up of classical dance performances, including kuchipudi by Yeleswarapu Srinivasulu, mohiniyattam by Rekha Raju, and kathak by Laxminarayan Jena.