The Music Academy, Chennai, has announced that its 99th Annual Conference and Music Festival will be held from December 15, 2025, to January 1, 2026, at its historic auditorium on TTK Road, Alwarpet. The annual Margazhi festival is one of the most awaited cultural events in the Carnatic music calendar.According to an official release, the festival will feature daily concerts, lecture-demonstrations and thematic discussions by leading Carnatic musicians, musicologists and scholars. The programme aims to offer a rich blend of performances and academic engagement, continuing the Academy’s long-standing tradition.
The festival will be inaugurated on December 15 at 5 PM by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, who will attend the opening ceremony as the chief guest, adding a special significance to the event.
The Academy’s Executive Committee has unanimously chosen renowned violin maestro R.K. Shriramkumar for the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award for 2025. As the awardee, he will preside over all concerts, conferences and sessions held during the festival period.
The conference and festival will conclude with the traditional Sadas on January 1, 2026. Eminent violinist Dr. N. Rajam, former Professor and Head of the Department of Music at Banaras Hindu University, will be the chief guest at the valedictory function. She will present the Academy’s annual honours, including the Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Sangeetha Acharya and the TTK Music Scholar Award, to the artists selected for 2025.
Recognised globally as one of the most respected institutions in Carnatic music, The Music Academy’s 99th edition promises an enriching and memorable celebration of music, scholarship and tradition.