Art and cultural festival draws hundreds of people in Ramanathapuram

Art and cultural festival organised by the Department of Art and Culture on Pongal festival holidays attracted a large number of people in Ramanathapuram.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the ‘Chennai Sangamam – Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ in Chennai on January 14. Following this, from January 15 to 18, traditional folk and classical art performances were held at 20 public gathering spots across Chennai.

As an extension of this, Pongal festivities featuring folk arts were organised by the Madurai Regional Centre of the Department of Art and Culture at Ramanathapuram Amma Park for two days, on January 16 and 17.

The event featured performances by the Marungan Naiyandi Melam troupe (Nadaswaram, Thavil, Karakattam, and Thappattam), the Vaigai Gomathi troupe (Amman/Kali dances and folk songs), Nilachelvan’s group (Sattaikuchi Aattam), and multi-genre folk acts by the Sri Muthalamman Rural Art troupe.

On the second day, performances included Thappattam by the Vimlesh troupe, Jimla Melam by the Ramar troupe, Mano Naiyandi Melam, and a combination of Oyilattam, Karakattam, and Silambattam by the Silamboli troupe.

A total of 120 artists performed traditional arts such as bull dance, Mayilattam (peacock dance), Poikkal Kudhirai (false-legged horse dance), Silambattam, and Marakkal Aattam. As the event coincided with the Pongal holidays, over a thousand people—including children, students, and youth—attended daily.