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Summary:

The Asian College of Journalism in Chennai is hosting “Soulfest 2025,” a unique Carnatic music festival from December 24-28. The festival features a lineup of renowned artists performing without microphones at the MS Subbulakshmi Arangam, an auditorium specifically designed for natural acoustics. The aim is to provide a more immersive and authentic listening experience. The concerts are free and open to the public with registration required, as part of the college’s silver jubilee celebrations. The lineup includes RK Shriramkumar, Sikkil Gurucharan, and TM Krishna, among other notable musicians. Each artist will also share a song with a deep personal connection.

News Article:

Chennai to Host Mic-Less Carnatic Music Festival, “Soulfest 2025”

Chennai, December 17, 2025 – Classical music enthusiasts are in for a treat this Margazhi season as the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) in Chennai prepares to host “Soulfest 2025,” a Carnatic music festival celebrating the purity of sound. From December 24th to 28th, the MS Subbulakshmi Arangam at ACJ will resonate with the unamplified voices and instruments of some of the most celebrated names in Carnatic music.

The unique aspect of Soulfest is its commitment to performing without the use of microphones. The MS Subbulakshmi Arangam is specifically designed for natural acoustics, ensuring that every note reaches the audience with equal clarity, regardless of seating position.

“Hearing pure sound that hasn’t been amplified makes for a more immersive experience,” said Sashi Kumar, chairman of ACJ. “This is not just of the voice, but of the percussion and everything else.”

Curated by writer, playwright, and singer Gowri Ramnarayan, the festival boasts a stellar lineup including RK Shriramkumar, the Sangita Kalanidhi designate for 2025, Sikkil Gurucharan, Archana, Aarathi, Vignesh Ishwar, Bharat Sundar, Amritha Murali, Nisha Rajagopalan, Aishwarya Vidhya Raghunath, Vijay Siva, Brindha Manickavasakan, flautist JB Sruthi Sagar, and culminating in a performance by TM Krishna.

Adding a personal touch, each artist will share a song that holds special significance to them, providing insight into their musical journey. Brinda Manickavasakan will lead an all-women ensemble spotlighting the compositions of Musiri Subramania Iyer, while Vijay Siva will celebrate the legacy of Muthuswami Dikshitar.

As part of ACJ’s silver jubilee celebrations, all concerts are free to the public. Registration is required and can be done at theticket9.com/e/ms-subbulakshmi-voice-rang. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Carnatic music in its purest form.

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