Chennai’s vibrant late-night scene is about to get a sophisticated and electrifying upgrade! On October 11, the Alliance Française of Madras welcomes back the highly anticipated third edition of La Nuit Blanche, or ‘The White Night’ – an all-night cultural fiesta promising an unforgettable blend of French and Tamil artistry. This year’s festival is a spectacular interweaving of traditions, featuring everything from dazzling cabaret and rhythmic gaana to ancient Tamil instrumental performances, dynamic hip-hop, and cutting-edge fashion, all designed to immerse you in a rich Indo-French cultural fusion.
Drawing inspiration from the legendary Moulin Rouge, the iconic musical set in bohemian Montmartre, Paris, at the dawn of the 20th century, this year’s La Nuit Blanche promises a truly theatrical experience. Patricia Théry Hart, director of Alliance Française of Madras, shares her excitement about hosting such a thrilling, all-night event in Chennai. “Local talent and French décor come together in a magical way,” she explains. “Last year’s fashion show felt like a true couture runway. Let’s just hope the weather holds up this year!”
Attendees can look forward to a diverse program starting at 5 PM. Sabitha Srinath will captivate with a fast-paced French can-can dance, alongside a special screening of the movie ‘Moulin Rouge’. The stage will also come alive with the powerful verses of Wild Wild Women Rappers, a unique Tamil and hip-hop street-style collaboration. Traditional arts are also celebrated with a mesmerizing Bommallatam puppet show by T.S. Murugan and his team, and a lively performance by Office Gaana, the band.
A highlight of the evening is ‘The Red Dream’ (Le Rêve Rouge), an immersive visual spectacle crafted by Cursorama, a media artist specializing in generative art and installations. Collaborating with Roy Dipankar of Omnivoid Labs, the team will create an exhibit featuring stunning visuals inspired by Moulin Rouge that dynamically react to sound. Expect an eclectic soundscape from bands like No Latency and The Objects, along with performances by artists Kushboo and Raj Kanwar Sodi. The musical journey will traverse jazz riffs, dubstep, drum & bass, dub techno, electronica, ambient, and intelligent dance music. Running from 5 PM until 2 AM, Roy encourages interaction with their audio-reactive cube, promising a unique exploration of sounds and textures.
Renowned contemporary dancer Preethi Athreya will present her compelling show, ‘Rubber Girl,’ at 8 PM, following a year of intensive research into Indian cabaret at Paris’s Cité Internationale des Arts. Preethi reflects on the art form’s depth: “Cabaret raises many questions: Whose bodies are you selling? What attitudes are you selling? It delves into fascinating aspects of capitalism versus democracy, colonialism versus post-colonialism.”
Emphasizing the crucial fusion of French and Indian cultures, especially Tamil traditions, Patricia notes that the festival will feature performances of villupaatu (bow song), bommalattam (puppet show), Carnatic fusion, and a special concert showcasing ancient Tamil instruments. Thanganila Palsuvai Kalikuzhu will also bring vibrant karagattam, thappattam, and poikkal kuthirai performances to the venue, adding further layers of rich local heritage.
Artist Si Su, a member of the eight-piece band Uru Pannar, shares details about their unique contribution: a performance featuring ancient Tamil instruments, some dating back to the 4th century. A particular highlight is the yaal, an instrument painstakingly reconstructed by musician and instrument-maker Tharun Sekar. Uru Pannar aims to revive the enchanting music of the Sangam age, but with a modern twist. “We don’t play ancient, unrelatable music,” Si Su assures. “It’s music with a contemporary feel.” Their captivating show begins at 9:15 PM.
For more details on this mesmerizing cultural festival, be sure to check out @afmadras on Instagram.