Chennai Sangamam’s celebration of folk arts, culture enthrals crowd

The annual cultural festival Chennai Sangamam-Namma Oor Thiruvizha, is under way at 18 places in the city, featuring folk dancers, singers, theatre shows and other artistes.

At Natesan Park in T. Nagar on Wednesday, a large crowd gathered to witness the Ghoomar dance performed by artistes from Rajasthan.

“I enjoy watching therukoothu and karagam during oor thiruvizhaas. It is wonderful to experience them in Chennai too,” Pandiaraja S., a visitor, said.

The festival also hosted stalls, having dishes ranging from dosa to biryani and waffles.

In Nungambakkam’s Corporation playground, the Ramanathapuram Marugan melam team was performing Naiyandi Melam Karagam for the crowd. “This artform runs in our veins. We are excited to have this opportunity to perform for the people of Chennai,” said Ramanathapuram Sathya, a fourth generation artiste, who led the Karagam performance.

Families attending the festival for the first time were thrilled.

“The younger generation should learn about our State’s folk arts, and this has been a great initiative to promote it,” said Srikanth S. from Nungambakkam, who attended the event with his children. Traditional folk dances such as Devarattam, Therukoothu and Irai Nadanam were performed. The nodal officer overseeing the show in Nungambakkam, P. Sampoornam, principal of Tamil Nadu Government Music College in Madurai, hoped that people would attend folk performances not only to support the artistes, but to also know about the rich folk traditions of the State.

Published - January 16, 2025 12:51 am IST