Music from the terrace resonates through Nanganallur

Called Motta Maadi Music, literally translating to music on the terrace, it was started by Badhri Narayanan Seshadri. The monthly sessions happen on the rooftop of his apartment in Nanganallur. 

Telling us why he began hosting these events, the sound engineer by profession says, “Being an independent musician, I felt neither my band Hrudhya nor I got a chance to play much. There are minimal openings or venues for artists like us to perform. I feel even listeners prefer cine music or covers to original music.” 

So he wanted to create a space where open-jamming could be facilitated. It doesn’t stop with just musicians joining in for an impromptu performance; even the audience aren’t allowed to sit silently! 

“I want each and every one to open up and sing along without feeling conscious,” he says. The first ever Motta Maadi Music session happened on January 27 of this year with a turnout of 27 people. From then until their most recent session, which is happening on Saturday this week, the number of attendees has risen  to 135! “This time, we’re dedicating the evening to AR Rahman so we’ll be performing covers of his; similarly, on Ilaiyaraaja’s birthday (June 2) all of us sang and performed his compositions,” explains Badhri. 

But doesn’t this steer away from his aim of promoting independent artists and original music? He quickly clarifies, “I’m making use of Chennai’s love for such big musicians just so people are attracted to and are aware of the idea of chamber concerts. From the next session onwards, we’ll be focusing only on individual or upcoming performers.” 

Luckily for Badhri, his neighbours are very cooperative and don’t complain about the musical nights — “Some of them from other buildings also come up to their terraces to virtually participate,” he laughs. 

So if you’d like to be a part of Motta Maadi Music’s upcoming tribute to the Mozart of Madras, head to 6/14, 24th Street, Thillai Ganga Nagar, Nanganallur, on July 7 at 6.30 pm. The event will go on till 9.30 pm and entry is free.