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The Sarva Deva Vilasa, a 19th century Sanskrit work on
Madras city (Chennai) paints a picture of a thriving cultural metropolis
with singers, dancers, pipers and drummers being active participants in
processions, soirees and concerts. In Madras, it was customary for a
man of status to be surrounded by musicians wherever he went in the
city, noted the English. And they too joined in. Events of great
importance to Madras, such as the granting of a charter for starting a
Corporation (India’s oldest) in 1688, were occasions for much dancing
and performing of country music. Devadasis and musicians accompanied the
charter as it was taken around Fort St George.
(‘Accept it, with grace,’ by V. Sriram, The Hindu, Nov 16, 2017)
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