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 yo...