Exploring the Dikshitar-Dhrupad Connection

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Morning Walk and Flowering Trees in Chennai

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In this series of blog entries, I will share with you some of my observations and experiences during my visit to my hometown of Chennai . Chennai is the fourth or fifth largest city in India . By the Bay of Bengal , this large city is known for its temples, classical music and dance festivals, Marina beach , masaal dosais , and a more "traditional" lifestyle compared to some of the bigger metro cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi. It is also known as Madras, which is the name that I used to refer to it while growing up. As I get ready to accompany my dad on his morning walk, this city is already up and running. I am greeted by kuyil birds cuckooing sweetly, crows cawing away, pigeons buck-buck-bucking, and squirrels chattering loudly. In the distance are auto-rickshaws happily rushing on the wrong side of a one-way street and fairly empty public buses taking passengers to work. Chants of Om Namah Shivaya from our home's electronic "mantra" machine merge w...
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