Chennai is a major centre for music, art and culture in India. The city is known for its classical dance shows. In 1930, first time in India, Madras University introduced a course of music, as part of the Bachelor of Arts curriculum. Since 1927, every December, the Madras Music Season is celebrated in the city, in commemoration to the establishment of the Madras Music Academy. It features performances of traditional Carnatic music by many artists in and around the city. An arts festival called the Chennai Sangamam, which showcases various arts of Tamil Nadu, is held in January every year. Chennai is also known for Bharata Natyam, a classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu and is the oldest dance form of India. An important cultural centre for Bharata Natyam is Kalakshetra, on the beach in the south of the city. Chennai is also home to some choirs, who during the Christmas season stage various carol performances across the city in Tamil and English.
Chennai is the base for the Tamil movie industry, known as Kollywood. Chennai's theatres stage many Tamil plays; political satire, slapstick comedy, history, mythology and drama are among the popular genres. English plays are popular in the city.
Among Chennai's festivals, Pongal is celebrated over five days in January. Many major religious festivals such as Deepavali, Eid and Christmas are also observed as festive occasions in the city. Tamil cuisine in Chennai includes vegetarian and non–vegetarian dishes. Many of the city's restaurants offer light meals or tiffin, which usually include rice–based dishes like pongal, thosai, idli and vadai with sambar, served with filter coffee
