Chennai Sangamam-Namma Ooru Thiruvizha : Grand celebration of Tamil Nadu's cultural heritage this Pongal

CHENNAI: The much-anticipated Chennai Sangamam-Namma Ooru Thiruvizha art festival begins today, turning the city into a grand stage for Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage this Pongal season.

CM M K Stalin will inaugurate the festivities at the Ekambaranathar Temple grounds in Kilpauk, opposite Pachaiyappa’s College, with a lineup of over 250 acclaimed artists.

But the celebration doesn’t stop there. Over the next six days, the festival will transform 18 locations across Chennai into vibrant cultural hubs, where more than 1,500 artists will showcase their talent every evening from 5 PM to 9 PM. "We are having an artificial intelligence-based rap based on Tirukural this time," said B Chandramohan, Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments.

The festival promises a feast for the senses, featuring over 50 traditional folk art forms. Visitors can marvel at the rhythmic grace of Karakattam, the thunderous beats of Nayandi Melam, and the visual splendour of Kavadiyattam and Puraviyattam. Pavai and Dholpavai Koothu, and Kaniyan Koothu will evoke nostalgia. The Terukkoothu and other rural dramas bring age-old stories to life.

This year, Chennai Sangamam goes beyond celebrating Tamil culture, offering a stage to classical artists and folk traditions from across India. "From Lamp Dance of Goa, Kerala’s mystical Theyyam to Rajasthan’s elegant Ghoomar, Maharashtra’s spirited Lavani, and West Bengal’s lively Dhunuchi, the festival promises to be a vibrant showcase of India’s cultural diversity," explained S R Gandhi, Director, Art and Culture, Tamil Nadu.

For food lovers, the accompanying culinary festival is a treat not to be missed. Local delicacies from across Tamil Nadu will be served, offering a delicious journey through the state’s diverse flavours. After lighting up Chennai, the festival will travel to eight other districts, including Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy, ensuring the celebration of Tamil culture resonates far and wide.