Finest Cultural Celebration

The third edition of the Provoke Art Festival 2025, lit up Chennai’s cultural calendar with an unforgettable two-day celebration of music, dance, and theatre on November 1 & 2 at The Music Academy, Royapettah. Since its inception in 2023, the festival has grown into one of Chennai’s most anticipated art events. This vibrant platform bridges the grandeur of classical Indian art forms with fresh creative expressions. This year’s edition once again stood as a testimony to Chennai’s reputation as the cultural capital of South India. The festival opened to a packed audience, with Day 1 witnessing a breathtaking Bharatanatyam performance by Rukmini Vijaykumar, followed by an enchanting musical ensemble led by Subha Shree Thanikachalam, featuring celebrated playback singers Haricharan Seshadri, Sai Vignesh, Disha Prakash, Santhosh Subramanian, and Vidya Kalyanaraman. Day 2 carried forward the momentum with a compelling stage play by Rohini Molleti and Pralayan, followed by a mesmerizing concert by the Veena maestro Rajhesh Vaidhya, joined by young sensations Rahul Vellal and Spoorthi Rao. The performances drew thunderous applause, creating a confluence of rhythm, melody, and emotion that resonated deeply with the audience. Adding to the grandeur, several eminent personalities from the fields of art, cinema, and culture were honoured for their contributions. The awardees included Kathadi Ramamurthy, Guru A. Kanyakumari, Anitha Kuppusamy, Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, Villu Paatu Bharathi, Sachu, AP Sreethar, Velu Aasan, PK Sambandhan, R. Pandiarajan, Director Vasanth, Thalaivasal Vijay, Unnikrishnan, Y. Gee. Mahendra, Nithyashree Mahadevan, Narthaki, Nalli Kuppusamy, M.S. Bhaskar, Nellai D. Kannan, Bharathi Sridhar, Malathy, Sowmya, Sanjai Shankar, and Dr. Sangeetha among several other luminaries. The event was graced by top dignitaries, including senior IAS and IPS officers, actor Nassar, Director Vasanth, Mr. Unnikrishnan, and other stalwarts from the world of cinema, music, and theatre, making it one of Chennai’s most star-studded cultural gatherings of the year. Conceptualised and curated by Mrs. Ashwini Sam Paul Vishwanathan, the festival was a seamless blend of art and emotion, a true testament to her creative vision and commitment to promoting India’s classical heritage. The initiative was supported by Dr. Sam Paul, Chairman & Managing Director of Paulsons Beauty & Fashion Pvt. Ltd. With an overwhelming response from audiences, the Provoke Art Festival 2025 has cemented its place as one of Chennai’s grandest and most beloved cultural festivals, celebrating the timeless essence of Indian art while paving the way for new-age artistic talents.