Chennai Sangamam will cover added areas next year

CHENNAI: The Chennai Sangamam Tamil cultural festival will be expanded to added areas of the city next year, said DMK MP Kanimozhi on tuesday. The event, that showcases Tamil cultural art, folk and cuisine, is largely held only in core city areas at present.
Kanimozhi, who is the coordinator and founder of the event, in a conversation with TOI, said the event will be expanded based on residents' request to added areas by next year .
Some major places where the event would be held include Anna Nagar Tower Park, Semmozhi Poonga, Natesan Park, Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur beach.The MP, who has been on the ground inspecting the event locations and preparation, said musician Santhosh Narayanan has been working with folk artists for his performance.
Cultural performances would include kutiyattam, mayilattam, parai, silambattam, theru kuthu, and ghana among others. "We have identified new folk art forms and groups. There's also a lot of work happening between folk and fusion. The theme is to bring out the diversity and show that classical art, folk art, ghana and bands can coexist," said Kanimozhi.
She said unlike the previous time, when the event was held with support of NGOs and corporates, this time, the government is holding the event on its own. "Every time the event has been held, we have learnt new things and we have improved, like adding cultural food and cuisine," she added.
Kanimozhi said that the event would bring out various talents from the city and they identified them through the districts. "We then had auditions and vetted the candidates and finalised them," she said, adding that the event would have a global reach in promoting Tamil Nadu's cultural uniqueness and the language's importance.
She added that she would be happy to coordinate with other states if they want to hold similar events like the Chennai Sangamam too. "Quite a few states are having their own festivals. If the other states want to emulate it, we are happy to support it," she added. The Sangamam event will kick off on January 13 and will go on till January 17.