Jul
6
2009
Sthree Thaal Thanang in Chennai
Author: SamWhen it comes to four-star hotels, Chennai is a haven for hospitality in accommodations. The guests here feel as though they are treated like royalty, being welcomed to a place where there is cutting-edge design and an expansive sense of graciousness. There is a delightful blend of the old and the new here, with state of the art technology and exquisite old-world splendor. The hotels are meant to provide rejuvenation of the body and soul, and travelers here might believe that they’ve entered a kind of heaven on earth.
Chennai is a jewel in India, being neither too big nor too small. It is, in fact, one of the largest cities in India, and its vibrant urban core is splendidly complimented by the gorgeous coastline. It is also the home to Kollywood, the world’s leader in the Tamil film industry. For music and dance in India, however, it is the cultural center. Visitors here can see excellent performances all year round, where live performances of the best of Indian dance and music come through here regularly. There are fabulous festivals, too, and there is a special kind of rhythm in the air, that always permeates the tropical air of Chennai. One can see groups such as Sthree Thaal Tharang, a women’s percussion ensemble.
Formed in 1992, Sthree Thaal Tharang is made up of seven women, with Sukkanya Ramgopal as the leader. a renowned ghatam artist. She creates original composition, along with playing traditional music, and the result is truly spectacular. Their shows can be seen all over India, where their incredible energy and impeccable skill at playing is just amazing. The work is sheer brilliance, with technical excellence accompanied by the occasional sensation that things are going completely out of control and into another realm. It is otherworldly, both on recordings and to hear live. It is no wonder that Sthree Thaal Thanang is getting good notices, and Chennai is lucky to have them when they play here.