Chennai Falls for the Charm of Versatile Art

Quick Summary

• Gaana, a music genre originating in north chennai, reflects the lives and struggles of working-class and marginalized communities.
• Traditionally performed at funerals to help mourners stay awake, Gaana has evolved to gain mainstream popularity through YouTube and cinema since the 1990s.
• Films like En Uyir Thozhan (1990) and Chithiram Pesuthadi (2006) contributed significantly to it’s widespread appeal.
• The genre is now performed at various celebrations like weddings and protests, often addressing themes like caste, love, politics, garbage management, and personal tragedies.
• Women are increasingly participating in this male-dominated art form despite stigma. Artistes such as N. Muniyammal and Isaivani have overcome societal resistance to perform publicly.
• The “Casteless Collective,” a 18-member ensemble founded by Neelam Cultural Center with Madras Records mixes Gaana with other genres like hip-hop for political commentary.
• Challenges remain for women entering this space due to disrespectful behavior from certain industry circles. Yet more opportunities continue to open up each year.

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