Chennai Sangamam, the folk festival held annually in the city during the Pongal celebrations, has one more addition this year: a fashion show organised in association with Co-optex, in which folk artistes sporting traditional handloom textiles will participate.
Speaking to reporters, DMK Parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi, who is instrumental in organising the festival, said that over 30 artistes would take part in the fashion show.
“It will be coordinated by Kavitha Ramu, Managing Director of Co-optex, at the Egmore Museum Hall on January 17. Folk artistes will wear traditional clothes woven by our weavers in places such as Arani and Kancheepuram, and saree varieties such as Sungudi and Chettinad. Weavers from Tamil Nadu are going to take centrestage,” she said.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate the event on January 14 at the Rajarathinam Stadium. The special show marking the inauguration will be repeated on January 15. The festival will feature performances by folk artistes from various parts of Tamil Nadu and other States at 20 locations across Chennai, including parks and public spaces, until January 18. Around 1,500 artistes are participating in the festival.
“Folk arts are not mere art forms. They are treasure houses that record our day-to-day life. Their art reflects their joys, sorrows, and pain. It is, in fact, contemporary history. We must protect these art forms and support the artistes. Folk artistes who participated in the Chennai Sangamam have received opportunities to perform in other countries and have also secured roles in films,” she said.
Ms. Kanimozhi said that events could not be organised in Perambur as the park there was undergoing repairs, but shows would be held in Avadi, Kolathur, and Royapuram in North Chennai. “We will organise events in more places in North Chennai from next year,” she added.
There will be rural sports such as uriyadi, pallankuli and paramapadam, but not kabaddi. Silambam artistes will also perform. The food festival, which is part of the Chennai Sangamam, will feature stalls selling food from various parts of the State.
Curated by Dr. Elena Rodriguez
