Chennai festival encompassing art, music, literature opened

Chennai, Feb 20 (UNI) 'Chennai Sangamam Thiruvizha', a week long festival depicting the cultural ethos of Chennai and celebrating the 2,000-year old tradition of arts and literature, was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi here this evening.

Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan was also present on the occasion.

Minister for Local Administration M K Stalin inaugurated the 'Neidal Sangamam', an exhibition of traditional arts and crafts, to mark the occasion, near Marina Beach.

'Tamil Sangamam', a programme organised by poet Ilayabharathi and Aravindan G, was also opened at the South India Film Chamber here to mark the occasion.

The programme was being coordinated by Tamil Maiyam, Directorate of Public Libraries and Department of Tourism and Culture.

A poet's meet, a modern drama and a debate on Devaram and Thiruppugazh (devotional hymns) and a drama on 'Manimegalaiyin Kanneer' (tears of Manimegalai - the symbol of Tamil culture) were being organised during the festival.

A spectacular Tamil folk opera - a 120 minute dance and music ensemble being staged for the first time depicting art, literature, music and dance of the State, kept the audience spell bound during the inauguration cermoney.

The show was conceived by the Chief Minister's daughter and poet Ms Kanimozhi and directed by Vasanth. Paul Jacob scored the music and art was by Thottatharani.

There were proposals to make it an annual feature featuring 700 folk artistes and 37 traditional and folk art forms through the week, during the Pongal Festival in January.

Music and dance shows, besides classical performances of other States would also form part of the show. About 40 western music shows, choirs, string quartets, symphony, fusion, rock, rap and jazz would also be part of the festival, that would conclude on February 26.

Open air Carnatic music performances by noted artistes like Bombay Jayashree, Sudha Raghunathan, Nityashree Mahadevan, Sanjay Subramaniam, T M Krishna, P Unnikrishnan and O S Arun in the evenings in various city parks, would be a special feature during the festivals.

A food festival with the exquisite cuisine of Tamil Nadu would also be held during the festival at the 'Neidal Sangamam' venue.

UNI