A variety of musical forms including the classical arts as well as folk traditions are showcased during the Chennai music season. Here’s a peek into ‘Chindus’, all the way from the countryside!
· The word ‘Chindu’ originally referred to a couplet or poem in Tamil set to a particular meter.
· Many of these couplets were set to similar folk tunes based on ragas like Ananda Bhairavi, Nadanamakriya or Senchurutti.
· The Chindu thus gained popularity as a musical form associated with some typical tunes and meters.
· A variety of Chindus are known, classified as per the specific situations they are applicable in.
− Kavadi Chindus are sung by devotees as they carry the ‘kavadi’ for Lord Muruga, typically up a hill, to ease out some of the strain and physical exhaustion resulting from the journey.
− Vazhinadai Chindus were sung by travelers undertaking journeys through forests and difficult terrain.
− Nondi Chindus were meant for by ‘Nondis’, the narrators or announcers in folk dramas and event.
· Chindus are set to various rhythms or nadais invariably indicative of the gamut of energy levels, excitement and exhaustion of a devotee during his travels
· Well known poets and composers including Subramanya Bharati, Gopalakrishna Bharati and Annamalai Reddiar have penned several chindus
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