Chennai Sangamam, dubbed as the greatest "open-air" cultural festival in India (திருவிழா, நம்ம தெருவிழா) started yesterday with the usual fanfare. The actual cultural programs started this (13th) evening, at eleven places around Chennai. Besantnagar beach is one of them, and we went there by 6-15PM to watch.
The usual karagaattam, Kaavadi, folk dances, etc Gramiya kalai nigazchikal were there. The troupes and performers were brought from distant Nagerkoil, Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Dindukkal, Pattukkottai ... For the adyar/besantnagar/thiruvanmiyur kids who have not stepped out of the City, this would have come as a "thriller." Yes, there was a decent crowd.
However, it turned slowly into the regular rut of "cinema paattu". Also by this time (8PM) the food stalls were ready with their aromatic food, and the crowd moved towards them. We left by 8-30PM. The organisers are to be applauded and their efforts appreciated. A good timepass for 2 hours, if you like your Tamil. I would say, "Well done, Kanimozhi !"
Anyway, I have my own thoughts -- is the Sangamam (now in its fifth year) already losing the flavour of Tamil Gramiya Culture? No takers for pure TGC ? For, a simple glance at the Program sheet tells me that, at all the 11 centres, the prime time (6.30 to 8PM) programs are by Carnatic music singers like Nithyasree Mahadevan, TM Krishna, Santhana gopalan etc. Whatever happened to MK's vow that only Gramiya Kalaigal will be encouraged in these Sangamams ?
Whatever that be, I like the Sangamam because it encourages little known village artistes of the Tamil folklore - Kaavadi, Karagaattam, Mayil vesham, Puli vesham, Therukkooththu etc. I understand that 8000 of these artistes are being paid Rs 1000/- per month by Tamilnadu Govt, a laudable thing.
The closing ceremony is on 17th at Besantnagar beach.
Well done Kanimozhi ..
rajappa
10:20PM
13 Jan 2011
The usual karagaattam, Kaavadi, folk dances, etc Gramiya kalai nigazchikal were there. The troupes and performers were brought from distant Nagerkoil, Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Dindukkal, Pattukkottai ... For the adyar/besantnagar/thiruvanmiyur kids who have not stepped out of the City, this would have come as a "thriller." Yes, there was a decent crowd.
However, it turned slowly into the regular rut of "cinema paattu". Also by this time (8PM) the food stalls were ready with their aromatic food, and the crowd moved towards them. We left by 8-30PM. The organisers are to be applauded and their efforts appreciated. A good timepass for 2 hours, if you like your Tamil. I would say, "Well done, Kanimozhi !"
Anyway, I have my own thoughts -- is the Sangamam (now in its fifth year) already losing the flavour of Tamil Gramiya Culture? No takers for pure TGC ? For, a simple glance at the Program sheet tells me that, at all the 11 centres, the prime time (6.30 to 8PM) programs are by Carnatic music singers like Nithyasree Mahadevan, TM Krishna, Santhana gopalan etc. Whatever happened to MK's vow that only Gramiya Kalaigal will be encouraged in these Sangamams ?
Whatever that be, I like the Sangamam because it encourages little known village artistes of the Tamil folklore - Kaavadi, Karagaattam, Mayil vesham, Puli vesham, Therukkooththu etc. I understand that 8000 of these artistes are being paid Rs 1000/- per month by Tamilnadu Govt, a laudable thing.
The closing ceremony is on 17th at Besantnagar beach.
Well done Kanimozhi ..
rajappa
10:20PM
13 Jan 2011
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