Chennai: Tamilnadu’s traditional folk art festival titled ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’–a grand display of folk art forms depicting the rich cultural heritage of the State–will start later today at the Island Grounds in the city.
Namma Ooru Thiruvizha is being jointly organised by Department of Art and Culture and Department of Tourism by strictly following Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
The magnificent folk musical and folk dance festival will be performed by more than 400 artistes and anchored by Erode Mahesh and Toshila.
‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ will proudly showcase the folk art forms of Tamil Nadu through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and YouTube.
Promos about the mega event are being shown in the LED screens installed in prominent locations of the Greater Chennai Corporation area, an official release said.
This event is a part of celebrations of 75th Independence Day as ‘Suthanthira Thirunaal Amutha Peruvizha’. Tamilnadu government is also producing 75 videos depicting different folk art forms of Tamilnadu. Some of these videos will be played during ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ and in mass and social media.
In the rapidly changing scientific and modern era, Tamilnadu government is making all possible efforts and initiatives to remind the Tamil community about the roots of Tamil folk art forms and culture, to introduce and popularise our ancient folk art and showcase folk artistes of Tamilnadu.
The mega event symbolises the pride of Tamil culture and will be inaugurated by Minister of Industries, Tamil Official Language, Tamil Culture and Archeology Thangam Thennarasu and Minister of Tourism Dr M Mathiventhan.
The programme will start with the Tamil Thai Vazhthu by the students of Chennai Government Music College. This will be followed by Mangala Isai by Anandan troupe, Kattai koothu by Thiruvannamalai Kumar troupe, Kombu Isai by Madurai Dakshinamoorthy troupe and Periya Melam by Thiruvannamalai Munusamy troupe.
Renowned drummer Sivamani with his troupe will bring together various traditional melams. He will present a musical treat along with Magudam troupe of Tenkasi Kannan, Ramamoorthy troupe. Thudumbu Melam troupe of Coimbatore Saminathan, Pambai melam troupe of Krishnagiri Manjunathan and Naiyandi melam troupe of Ramanathapuram Murugan.
In continuation of the above instrumental music performances, fascinating dance forms, art forms and adventure shows will be held.