Even if one begins music lessons at a young age, the day of the first performance matters a lot in this part of the world.
An aspiring artiste seldom gives the first public performance, locally referred to as the thenga moodi kutcheri, in a renowned sabha. It is more probable that it is at a temple, where irrespective of age, he or she is honoured with flowers and coconut (thenga moodi) that have been offered to the deity there.
Originally written for The Hindu, read more at https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/From-temple-to-sabha-a-musician%E2%80%99s-journey/article11608615.ece