ennai Sangamam!
- Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj -

Dear all my friends, I cordially invite you to the Chennai Sangamam from February 20 - 26. More than 400 events are set to take place in five days, all showing Tamil music, dance, literature and other art forms. The inaugural show on 20th Feb. at IIT is going to be spectacular with more than 200 folk artists on stage. It is my joy to invite you.

Fraternally,
Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj

A slice of Chennai! City of Charms!

A city with a character that manifests itself into anything that is both traditional and modern; a city which could accept anything new from the world, even while retaining its own taste and culture, a city that loves the pizzas as much as it loves its idlys - Chennai is undoubtedly a city of charms. Chennai Sangamam is an attempt to showcase things that Chennai is all about. Presented by Tamil Maiyam and the Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai Sangamam is a unique attempt to take the best of Chennai to its people. Aptly called Namma Theru Vizha (Our Street Festival), Chennai Sangamam would happen mostly on the Streets. Watch Bombay Jayashree perform at Nageshwara Rao Park; get captivated by performance of Valli Thirumanam on the nostalgic Mylapore Mada Veethi.

Chennai Sangamam is planned as an annual feature that would become part of Pongal celebrations from next year, attracting thousands of tourists from around the world. Like the December festival that has now become an integral part of city's celebrations, the team of Chennai Sangamam wants the city's own festival to become the face of Chennai. With an immense potential as a tourist promotion activity, Chennai Sangamam as an annual feature is all set to change the way the world looks at Chennai.

Chennai Sangamam would be spread over six days (from February 20 to 26) with the performance of 700 folk songs and 37 art forms. Reputed names in classical music like Sanjay Subramaniam, T M Krishna, Bombay Jayashree, Sudha Raghunathan, Aruna Sairam, O S Arun and Sowmya would be part of Chennai Sangamam. Besides, Chennai would also get to witness Tamil folk forms like thappattam, karagattam, oyilattam, mayilattam, thevarattam, Krishnan attam, naiyandi melam, china melam, periya melam, sakkai kuchi attam, kokali attam, puliattam, maan kombattam, poykalkuthiraiattam, jimla melam, thudumbattam, silambatta, kalaripayitru and koothu.

Special Dramas like Valli Thirumanam and Pavalakodi is something that a true Chennaiite from any part of the world cannot afford to miss. These dramas will be staged near Kapaleeshwarar temple at Mylapore. Besides, plays by Koothupattarai, Magic Lantern, Mangai and Pralayan would also be staged in various locations.

An elaborate and spectacular inaugural conceptualized by Kanimozhi and directed by Vasanth would mark the grand opening of Chennai Sangamam in Adyar on February 20. The art for the inaugural show is by Thotta Tharani and Music by Paul Jacob.

In an attempt to include school children, accomplished artists would be training students from five schools for a memorable kids show. For a sample now, the kids would enact Vaali vatham, a Ramayana based play.

As part of Chennai Sangamam, Mozart Meets India – a music spectacle of 2007 would be restaged at music academy.

In keeping with city's cosmopolitan nature, Chennai Sangamam would also include Kerala's Chenda Melam, Andhra's folk drummers and art forms like Bangra and Tandia.

The folk performances of Chennai Sangamam would happen in 60 schools, 20 colleges, important landmarks like city centre, spencers, corporate hubs, railway stations, bus terminals, markets, temple streets, church premises etc.

A special Chennai sangamam anthem has been penned by lyricist Vairamuthu and music scored by film music director Theva. Chennai Sangamam music album to be launched on February 15 would also include theme songs written by Kanimozhi and Fr. Jegath Gasper Raj. The finale will be yet another memorable gathering at the Marina Beach on February 26. A central Sangamam venue where a village like atmosphere is being recreated is the highlight of the six day festival.

Yet another interesting highlight would be the retrospective journey into Tamil films – revisiting old classics is yet another cannot-afford-to-miss feature of Chennai Sangamam.

Chennai Sangamam is all about Chennai and the best of it. The city known for its tolerance, spirit and willingness to experiment deserves to be celebrated.

Celebrate the City.

Live the Spirit of Chennai.

tamil_mai2000@yahoo.com