7 days, 17 venues, 1700 village performers, 450 participants all in our own Chennai pattinam! Yes, Chennai is awaiting its own fun filled carnival- Chennai Sangamam from January 10th to 16th. As they rightly call it- thiruvizha. Namma theruvizha, this the third edition. After an extraordinary success of the past two years, the Tamil Maiyyam, organizers have seen to it that this time, it is more magnificent and grand this time. This fest is done during the harvest season and it is largely centered on the rural folk forms and the rich culture.

So how did the idea of Chennai Sangamam pop up? “It all started with a normal conversation between me and Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP and we thought of doing something to promote the culture of Tamil Nadu through a carnival form where, the art forms get closer to the community and the society. It has to cross boundaries and must unite people and the public must just have fun during this carnival,” says Father Jagath Gasper Raj, head of Tamil Maiyam.

If you are a lover of Sudha Ragunathan, Bombay Jayashri, Nithyashree, Umayalpuram Sivaraman and you think going to a kutcheri and listening to their music will burn a hole in your pocket, then you have all reasons to heave a sigh of relief. Because, all these artists will perform during Chennai Sangamam in beaches and parks and you can listen to your favorite artist just for free!

Want to tickle your taste buds of Kongu Nadu Samayal, Manaparai Murukku, Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai, Virundhunagar Parotta, Iruttukadai Halwa, Dindigul Venu Biriyani and Chettinad Samayal, then straightly head to the venues as there will be a mega food fest happening in all the venues. “We have roped in almost all the 5star restaurants for the best cuisines. From Taj to Sheraton and Meridian, you name it and it will be there. The food fest is the main attraction this time. Nobody gets a chance to get a hand on these traditional items, so we have seen to it that we give them an experience of a lifetime,” says Gasper Raj.

Apart from this, there are games that you would have played in your childhood and you must have longed to play now, but today they are just anonymous words. Games like Silambattam, Malyutham, Vazhukumaram, Uriyadi, and Kalari will be there at the fest. So see to it that you give a hand at them.

So what else is special this time? “There will be an exotic fish aquarium featuring the rarest fishes; there will be photography and a poetry contest. On 13th night, Venkatanarayana Road, T.Nagar will be fully closed and we are going to bring a thiruvizha effect there. There will be music, dance, games, tattooing and there will also be a display of fruits which will be decorated beautifully.

This time, the Tamil Maiyam expects around 2.5 to 3 million crowd to come and see this carnival.

So is Chennai Sangamam popular abroad also? “The word is spreading, but it will still need some time to get a name there in abroad. We also expect some foreigners to come and see this time. But due to the recession and terrorism problems, it will be quite less this time.” The reason of why Chennai Sangamam is held during the Thai season is that it is a way of thanksgiving in an urban context. Generally, Pongal is more popular in agrarian lands and villages, but not so popular in urban areas.

With all set for the mega festivity with unlimited gala and frolic, Chennai is sure to rock this Pongal.

Anitha R