Chennai Sangamam 2011

Chennai Sangamam got off to a colourful start with folk artists from different parts of the State showcasing the traditional arts and culture of Tamil Nadu.

The idea is to have different art forms in open parks, beaches and streets which was an inspiration from the Bangaluru Habba celebrations.

The events that mark the festival include traditional and folk music shows folk dances, martial arts, classical music and dance performances, street plays, drama / theater etc

Karagaattam (Maadattam, Mayilaattam, Karadiaattam, Puliyaattam)

This is one of the showpieces of rural art, peculiar to Tamil Nadu. Young women dance several variations to the music of Naiyyandi Melam. The special feature of this art is that the dancer balances a painted pot on her head while performing a variety of specific foot movements in tune with the music and its rhythm. Karagattam is also known as Karaga Chembu and Kumbaattam. It is performed as an entertainment in temple celebrations. Generally as part of Karagattam performance, Mayilaattam, Puliyaattam, Karadiyaattam and Maadattam are performed. The performers costumed as Peacock, Bear, Tiger and Cow dance to the music of Nayyaandi Melam. The Artists mimic the movements of birds and animals and dance to the music. However in certain places these dance forms are performed separately.

Karagaattam

Puliyaattam

Kalarippayitru

When the word Kalari is uttered, images of Kerala comes to our mind. But the truth is Kalari originated in the district of Kanniyaakumari in Tamil Nadu and it is one of the ancient martial art forms of the Tamils. The word Kalari is derived from the Tamil word Kalam, which simply means a training ground. Sword, Knife, Maan Kombu, Kanda Kodali, Mazhu etc are the weapons that are used in Kalari. There are two kinds of Kalari. They are Vadakkan Kalari (Northern method) and Thekkan Kalari (Southern Method). The Kalari practiced in Tamil Nadu is the Southern style and is prevalent in the districts of Kanniyaakumari. The Kalari performers worship the God, Weapons, Guru and the Ground in the beginning of every performance.

Oyilattam

“Oyil” refers to “grace” and “attam” means “dance”. Therefore “Oyilattam” is the dance of graceful gestures. The dancers dress uniformly and the performers wear colorful turban and hold a piece of cloth in their hands.This dance form is generally performed during rituals associated with temples. Off late the dance form has come to be performed on stages too.

Chendai Melam

Chendai Melam is a percussion instrument traditionally performed by some community of Kanniyaakumari district. This instrument is much popular in the state of Kerala A team of men folk performs this. The performers hold the musical instruments in their shoulder and play the drums with sticks. Generally Chendai Melam is performed at religious festivals to invoke the spirit of the deities. Singara Melam is a part of Chendai Melam. Dancing to the tune of Chendai along with some other musical instrument is known as Singara melam.

Thapattam = Paraiattam

Thapattam is a Folk Dance of Tamil Nadu which has been known as Paraiattam in ancient Sangam Literatures. Parai is an instrument which is used for the declaration and the proclamation of Ancient Tamil King’s message and Orders to the Public. During Bhakti cult both the Saivite and Vaishnavite Saints have referred Parai as one of the ritual instruments in the worshipping patterns through penances. Sri Andal, the counter part of Meera in Tamil Nadu mentions this instrums, Parai in so many stanzas of her work Thirupavai. The uniqueness of Thappattam is that both the player and the dancer are same.

The dance happens for long hours, when performed at temples and other functions. It is these legs that make this happen.

Chettiyar Bommai

Usually we see the Chettiyar Bommai during navaratri kollu, but we have them on stage. It was a treat watching them.

Last but not the least

A team of young dancers danced to the tune of hum hum song.

Some candid shorts - From the sence

Happy and ready to perform

High time we SAVE our Tigers, else will end up seeing them at Sangamam only.

Bright lights on the stage

The last Surviving folk dance

He did do a good sale !

Where is the safety norms for this? Govt will act only when something happens,...

Gods doesn’t frighten me but the scams do,....

Every was nice and I enjoyed them,....



Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple Elephant - LAKSHMI

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple was in existence before the French came and settled in Pondicherry i.e. before 1666. It has walls portraying forty different forms of Ganesha. The temple also has a smaller shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, who is Ganesha’s younger brother. There is also a temple elephant, Lakshmi, who give blessing to the devotis.

 Temple Elephant 'Lakshmi' at work, it blessess devotes and people give money to Lakshmi.

 And Lakshmi hands over the money to her caretaker,.... dont know if we are making Lakshmi do the right thing. Moreover Lakshmi belongs to the Temple and they should be having enough money to feed her. "Gasesha - Help Lakshmi"

You have 2 shops in front of the temple and both the shops challenge to sell there flowers and coconuts to customers

 Peaceful sellers :)

Rajini Mania

Rajnikanth starrer Endhiran review is already great in talk. There’s only one word to describe the movie - simply great. The film's story revolves around a scientist's struggle to control his creation, an android robot whose processor was upgraded to give it the ability to comprehend and generate human emotions, from further sociological mishaps. The robot falls in love with a beautiful woman who also happens to be the love interest of the scientist, which creates a conflict between the two.
We start from Chennai by evening and travelled to Pondy to watch the movie. This was the first time we travelled 150KMs to watch a movie - That is Rajini Mania,.....

These are some shots taken in front & inside of the theatre:

 As people started to move out of the theatre after the noon show, we moved in next

 This is one of the shots which I liked, finding a place with white sand and water together, excellently shot.