Chennai Music Season: Digital Distractions Redefine Traditional Margazhi Kutcheri

• Chennai's Margazhi kutcheris now see audiences engrossed in phones, searching ragas on Google, and drifting to WhatsApp.
• Seniors are observed playing Sudoku, word games, and online chess during performances, with glowing screens lighting up the hall.
• The article highlights the irony of rasikas demanding silence while engaging in their own digital and conversational distractions.
• Sabha canteen food quality is noted as declining, yet crowds persist due to "tradition" and FOMO, despite over-rated snacks.
• New rituals include seat-claiming tactics and widespread photography for social media, turning concerts into "digital darshan," yet the music's power endures.

Why It Matters: Margazhi kutcheris blend traditional music with modern digital distractions, yet the art's essence prevails.