MK Stalin launched the Pongal fest ‘Chennai Sangamam’ which is back after 10 years, a festival coinciding with the Pongal festivities.
‘Chennai Sangamam’ – Namma Ooru Thiruvizha is a festival coinciding with the Pongal festivities displaying the rich cultural heritage and various traditional folk arts of Tamil Nadu, back after a gap of 10 years this year, brought great jubilation among the Tamil people.
The event is deemed to be a project initiated by DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, and it returns this time as a full-fledged government event, even launched in the evening with a splendid cultural show at the Island Grounds in the city.
The chief minister tweeted, “I had the pleasure of inaugurating Sangamikum #நம்ம_ஊரு_திருவிழா in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu’s art forms.
Let’s support local artists and nurture the arts of our land! Let’s protect the Tamil culture”.
தமிழ்நாட்டின் கலை வடிவங்கள் தலைநகர் சென்னையில் சங்கமிக்கும் #நம்ம_ஊரு_திருவிழா-வைத் தொடங்கி வைத்து மகிழ்ந்தேன்.
நாட்டுப்புறக் கலைஞர்களை ஆதரித்து, நம் மண்ணின் கலைகளை வளர்ப்போம்! தமிழ்ப் பண்பாட்டைக் காப்போம்! pic.twitter.com/IyXxCySvjl
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 13, 2023
The Chennai Sangamam event was held regularly earlier whenever the DMK was in power. After the DMK came to power in 2021 after a gap of a decade, the state government, in its first year, organized similar events during the Pongal festival last year by calling it ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ (‘Our town’s festival’) instead of ‘sangamam’ (which means ‘confluence’).
The event will feature several components including a book fair, literary festival and presentation of awards. Later this year, the Sangamam, which is being coordinated by Kanimozhi, would be held in other regions of the State. “We have divided the State into seven regions, and the programs would be held in these locations,” the Lok Sabha MP from Thoothukudi said in the presence of Minister for Industries, Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture Thangam Thennarasu.
Kanimozhi said in Chennai, the events would be held from January 14 to 17 at 16 locations, including parks and playgrounds. Along with cultural programs, including folk arts and music, classical performances, too, would be held. Youth bands would also be featured.
A total of 170 groups would perform in Chennai and the entrance for all the events is free. A total of 800 artists from various parts of the state will perform local art forms during the festival. B.Chandra Mohan, Secretary, of Tamil Art, and Culture, said dancers from other States would also take part.
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation would be coordinating with restaurants and food experts to offer traditional food items through 108 stalls in 16 locations. Items like Iruttu Kadai halwa (a famous sweet from southern Tirunelveli), Kovilpatti Kadala Mittai (sweet groundnut candy) and Srivilliputhur Palkova (milk ghova) would be made available in Chennai. Games and painting and sculpture exhibitions have also been planned as part of the Chennai Sangamam – Namma Ooru Thiruvizha.
Exuding rich art forms, Tamilians expressed it was a unique form of art asking, “Ever seen this art form?”
Ever seen this art form? #ChennaiSangamam pic.twitter.com/B6yWgjmKru
— RadhakrishnanRK (@RKRadhakrishn) January 13, 2023