Traditional folk dances to colour Chennai

CHENNAI: Forty-one-year-old Karakattam artist Murugesan eagerly gazed at a flight that passed near Chennai airport while deftly balancing a pot on his head. He took a moment out of his busy schedule of rehearsing Karakattam to stare at the airplane. This is Murugesan’s first visit to the city as he is one of the performers that the Tamil Nadu government has called upon to entertain foreign delegates and the public for the Global Investors Meet, which kicks off today.
Around 200 artistes and students from across the state have landed in Chennai to perform at 16 different places on September 9 and 10. They have come from remote villages and will perform dances like Karagattam, Raja Rani Attam, Kavadiattam, Thudumbattam, Kollattam, Poikalkuthirai Attam, Kai Silambattam, Karaga Silambattam, Karaga Oyilattam, Mayillattam, Thappattam, Pinnal Kollattam, Kombu Vathiyam, Kaalai Attam, Naiyandi Melam, Sevai Attam and Oyilattam.
Over the next couple of days, Gemini Flyover, DMS, SIET, Nandanam, Saidapet bus terminus and court, Madhya Kailash, area around Trident hotel, Aasarkhana, Alandur metro, Manapakkam, Chennai Trade Centre, CMBT, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Ekkaduthangal will serve as platforms for these artistes.
Though there are artistes like Murugesan who are visiting Chennai for the first time, others like Thudumbattam artist Swaminathan have been on international stages and showcased Tamil Nadu’s rich traditional folk heritage in countries like Bangkok, Australia and Singapore.
“Though I have performed abroad, I always wished to perform here. And I am fortunate to have been given an opportunity to perform at a prestigious event like this. Chennai is the best place to promote traditional folk dances as we get a lot of response from the public,” said Swaminathan, who came with his troupe from Karamadai.
Troupe members of Kollattam, who are performing near Saidapet bus stand, are students of Jawaharlal Nehru College in Ulundhurpet. They have volunteered to perform in the city. These students who were handpicked from the college are doing their bit to save the art of Kollattam from dying. “Our generation is unaware about traditional art forms. It has been a dream come true for our students who were eagerly awaiting for an opportunity to promote the dance,” said Gayathri, co-ordinator of Kollattam.