For Reshma, a Malayali architect working in Chennai, the jamming session she attended was deeply nostalgic. “There is nothing as comforting and nostalgic as your mother tongue,” she said. “Songs take us to memories by default; they make you feel connected sentimentally. As someone living in Chennai for the past eight years, listening to old Malayalam songs feels like a slice of home.”

Between her words, the songs echoed that spirit. As someone strummed the opening chords of an old Malayalam song, heads lifted instantly. Music turned the space into something familiar—almost home.

For Shibil, who performed at an open mic, the events help bridge emotional distance. “When you’re away from home, you have a disconnected feeling. Attending events like this brings back your memories of home. It’s a good place to make new connections.”

The night grew warmer as voices overlapped, rising and settling like waves. For a moment, the room felt less like a hall and more like a living room back home.

Liz, a media coordinator in Chennai, discovered one such programme through BookMyShow. “This is definitely a place to make new friends. Even if you’re alone, you can meet new people here,” she said. “In a place like Chennai, with such a large immigrant population, more shows like this should be conducted. I’m sure more people will join.”

Vishwas agreed that Chennai offers strong opportunities. “Compared to Bengaluru, Chennai has fewer jamming events, and more people here are interested in music… There should be more jamming events in Chennai and more groups providing these experiences, because we’ve seen in our events that people in Chennai absolutely love their music.” He said that jamming sessions in Chennai are still new and evolving but have the potential to become mainstream.

Badhri Seshadri, founder of Motta Maadi Music, one of Chennai’s earliest jamming communities, said the city has played a major role in the venture’s success. “People in Chennai are always so culturally inclined that when something new comes up, they never say no to it. They want to try it — and then it’s up to the performer to maintain the momentum.”

He also noted that street performances have evolved into musicians using popular public spots to jam, reflecting the city’s vibrant music scene. According to him, these sessions thrive not only because the city supports them, but also because generations of Tamil film music legends have created enduring songs that continue to fuel today’s jams.

Another attendee, Anupama, described the experience as emotional. “Malayalam is my mother tongue. I think, speak, and process emotions in Malayalam. Old Malayalam movies and songs take me back to my native soil. Music has that magic I can’t really explain,” she said. “When I heard about a Malayalam jamming session, I was thrilled. Ever since I left home, I’ve hung out with many friends — but when it comes to music and movies, I’ve always felt like an outsider. But jamming old Malayalam songs with people I’d never met felt like attending a function with my cousins. Just like that, we were transported home by the lyrics and music. It was sterling nostalgia.”

As jam sessions spread across cities, they are doing more than bringing music to life — they are bringing people together. Through familiar lyrics and melodies, people are finding comfort, friendship, and a fleeting, powerful sense of home far from home.