Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

‘Ponnonam’ fete offers rich cultural treat

— Photo: R. Ashok

MEMORABLE: Artistes performing Pulikali in Tiruchi on Sunday.

TIRUCHI: It was a joyous occasion for hundreds of men, women and children of Kerala who have settled in the central districts of Tamil Nadu, to witness the cultural events of their native state.

Throughout Sunday, they felt at home intently watching over dozen programmes presented by cultural troupes mostly from Thrissur, Ernakulam and Palghat.

‘Ponnonam 2007’, organised by Tiruchi Malayalee Trust, provided a rare opportunity to the Keralites of Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Perambalur to recall their childhood days when they were first saw the artistes performing these events at a temple or marriage hall.

“Being in Tamil Nadu for decades, most Keralites have been missing their cultural events. The ‘Ponnonam’ festival is a right occasion when we organise cultural events,” says Administrative Trustee G. Kavirajan.

Events included ‘Singari Melam,’ ‘Oppana,’ ‘Mohiniyattam,’ ‘Kathakali,’ ‘Pulikali,’ and fire dance.

Of them, more interesting was the performance by a troupe of 21 artistes on ‘Singari melam.’

No sooner were the ‘Chendas’ beaten than the young and the old swarmed around the troupe.

The artistes too consider it a great opportunity to perform in the presence of an audience in another state. The leader of a troupe, K.R. Suresh of Chalakudi, says that he was awestruck by the enthusiasm of the audience. “In my native place, there are scores of troupes performing the ‘melam;’ in Tiruchi, people gather around us as we start performing.”

Several stalls were also set up as part of the festival. K.A. Biju, a jeweller from Thrissur, brought ‘kuthampalli’ saris and churidars.

Another highlight of the programme was a lucky draw. Tiruchi Central Zone Inspector General of Police I. Raja released a souvenir and the first copy was received by Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayalee Associations secretary M. K. Soman Mathew.Karur Collector T.N. Venkatesh offered felicitations.

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