The Government will organise a five-day cultural festival from September 22 to 26 involving thousands of artists to mark the millennium celebrations of the Big Temple in Thanjavur.
A confluence of thousand folk artists from 75 troupes in Thanjavur will participate in cultural events to be held in the evenings from September 22 to 24 in venues on Big Temple premises, Rajarajan Manimandapam, Tholkappiar Sathukkam, Old TNHB quarters and Karandhai.
Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate a special exhibition in Thanjavur palace on September 24 showcasing Chola paintings, inscriptions, sculptures, musical instruments, archaeological evidences and 100 paintings by students of Government Arts College, Kumbakonam.
The same day, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will preside over a symposium on ‘Thanjavur's contribution to Indian pride,' and release a book titled ‘Chola paintings' at Thanjavur Tamil University. A special stamp will be released by Union Minister for Information and Communication Technology A. Raja on September 26 and Union Minister for Shipping G.K. Vasan will receive it. Union Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palanimanickam will release a special coin.
On the inaugural day, the celebrations will be marked by cultural programmes of Thenmozhi Rajendran, Tamil Isai music by Sirkazhi Sivachidambaram, dance by Narthagi Nataraj and a programme by Carnatic vocalist Sudha Ragunathan. The events will be held in the evenings between 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm on the Big Temple premises, stated an official release.
On September 23, the events will be punctuated by folk art of Madurai Muthu troupe. Carnatic vocal by T.M. Krishna and dance by Zakir Hussain. ‘Parayattam' by Arumugam and his team, instrumental music by A.K. Palanivel and Carnatic music by Aruna Sairam will mark the next day's events.
The events for September 25 will begin with Nadhaswaram music followed by a conference presided by Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan. Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi will start off the proceedings with a welcome speech. Scholars from various fields will talk on the features of the Big Temple.
Thirukuvalai sisters music, Thirumurai music by Othuvars and a Natyanjali by Padma Subrahmanyam's team involving 1000 dancers will be the highlight of the events for September 25.
Rajaraja Cholan, a historical drama, will be presented by Pugazhendhi-Kalaivanan group at Thilakar Thidal the same night.
Subsequently, the Department of Tourism and Culture will organise a cultural event titled ‘Poongavil Poongatru' on Saturdays for 30 weeks at Sivagangai Park. A month long Indian dance festival will be held on the Big Temple premises beginning December 26, the release said.
