Chennai Singing Circle Turns Online Lessons Into Citywide Bus Singalong
The Bus Singalong, the latest initiative of the community singing group Paadarivom Padipparivom, is set to roll through Chennai on August 2. Originally planned as a single bus with around 50 participants, the event expanded to two buses after roughly 40 people registered within the first 90 minutes. Organisers say the two buses, carrying about 85–90 singers, have reached full capacity, and registrations are now closed.
The group is also exploring the possibility of holding a future singalong aboard the Cordelia Cruise. Discussions remain at a preliminary stage, and updates are expected to be shared on the group’s Instagram page.
Paadarivom Padipparivom traces its origins to the lockdown of 2020. Naggeshwerran S., a 43-year-old former IT professional known in the music community as NGR, noticed while using the Smule karaoke app that many people who enjoyed singing were being mocked online. He also saw that many wanted to sing but did not know where to learn.
This led to free live sessions on Facebook and YouTube, where participants learned one Tamil song every week. The teaching method was deliberately simple: songs were broken down into sounds and rhythmic patterns, rather than relying on formal Carnatic notation. NGR, who has been singing since 1992 without formal training, said friends had taught him using sounds instead of swaras, and he believed the same approach could work for others.
The first session, held on May 4, 2020, drew close to 500 viewers. Requests for regular classes followed, and Paadarivom Padipparivom was formed.
The community now operates from two studios in Madipakkam and Saligramam, each accommodating 25–30 people. The spaces host singing classes, rehearsals, karaoke sessions and community singalongs. Members also take part in Jam Along Vaanga, where they perform solo or duet songs before a live audience.
The group has expanded beyond its studios. An invitation from Cookgramam restaurant in Anna Nagar led to regular singalong sessions on the first and third Friday of every month, drawing 65–70 participants. The group has also partnered with an event venue in Adyar for larger sessions, and has received requests from a venue on OMR.
Most members are above 30 years of age. NGR said most music activities are designed for children or young people, but this community is for adults in their thirties, forties and beyond. Many are not aiming for a music career; they simply want a place to sing without fear of judgement.
Rather than teaching only individual songs, the organisation follows a structured cinema music curriculum introducing learners to pitch, rhythm and expression through familiar Tamil film songs. Since 2020, the team has released lessons for nearly 300 songs on YouTube, allowing learners to revisit them at their own pace.
The bus singalong marks the next step in the group’s journey from bathroom singing to public performance. Those interested in future events are advised to follow the Instagram page for announcements and registration details.
