The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Recapturing magic and magnificence of ‘Thrissur Pooram’ in Chennai

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Monday, Oct 01, 2007
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Recapturing magic and magnificence of ‘Thrissur Pooram’ in Chennai

Staff Reporter

‘Aavanipoovarangu 2007’ held to recreate the spirit of Kerala’s favourite festival

— Photo: B.Jothi Ramalingam

Gorgeous gala: Life-sized caparisoned elephants, made of Plaster of Paris, at the “Thrissur Pooram” in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: The ‘Thrissur Pooram,’Kerala’s magnificent spectacle, came to Chennai on Sunday.

Eleven life-sized caparisoned elephants, made of Plaster of Paris, traditional Kerala art forms such as Pulikkali, Kaavadi, Mayilattam and Theyyam and thousands of people astir in revelry helped to recreate an atmosphere somewhat akin to Kerala’s favourite festival.

Aavanipoovarangu

The ‘Pooram’ ambience was recreated in connection with the ‘Aavanipoovarangu 2007’ held by the Confederation of Tamilnadu Malayalee Associations (CTMA) to recreate the Onam spirit.

It may have been a scaled-down version of the actual ‘pooram’, but the milling crowds, including non-Malayalees, seemed not to have enough of all the fanfare.

Tribute to Karunanidhi

CTMA president M. Nanda Govind said the ‘pooram’, being held in Chennai for the first time, was a tribute to the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. “It is our way of showing gratitude for declaring Onam a holiday here.”

The tone for the ‘pooram’ was set by the traditional percussion of Panchavadyam. The beats soon shifted to the pivotal Pandimelam led by noted artist Cherusseri Kuttan.

Kudamattam

Then the much-awaited Kudamattam or exchanging of parasols took over.

“I am really feeling thrilled. Actually I feel like I am standing on a festival ground somewhere in Kerala”, exclaimed Jayaram, film star.

He was among the film celebrities who participated in the cultural meet held in this connection.

For actress Kavya Madhavan, the spectacle was much beyond what she had bargained for. Cherusseri Kuttan, who led the Pandimelam, told The Hindu that he didn’t expect such mammoth crowds outside Kerala. “I have been to other parts of the country, but I am yet to see such an ecstatic response”, he said. Later, a display of fireworks set the night sky ablaze to feature yet another trademark of the legendary ‘Thrissur Pooram’.

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