“This concert is dedicated to Muthuswami Dikshitar and will feature only his compositions,” announced T.M. Krishna at the start of his December 25, 2025, performance, drawing a thunderous applause from the packed hall. Smiling, he added, “It’s heartening to see such a response to the composer on his 250th birth anniversary. It’s not just about the composer or his works, it’s the sound of the period that we want to reach out to.” The Music Academy was overflowing, with extra chairs brought in and a television set up in the foyer for rasikas who couldn’t find a seat inside. The scene was a testament to how Carnatic music and its revered composers continue to command a huge following and relevance — even in an age dominated by social media and an array of global musical choices.

The scene was much the same at sabhas across Chennai, echoing what one has witnessed over the years. Rasikas — strangers only moments earlier — exchanged knowing smiles when a familiar raga, kriti, or even a well-loved phrase was sung. And when a lesser-known composition was rendered, they listened in contemplative silence while their minds kept the guessing game on.

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