The 11th edition of the four-day Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival is here! This year’s theme is ‘Flavour Of Madras’. The fest will be held from January 10 to 13, and take off at 6.30 a.m. the first day at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore with a mikeless group concert by 15 school students from Chettinad Vidyashram. Over 100 school children will present the mikeless concert over the four mornings of the festival.
The evening events at the main stage in front of the 16-pillar mandapa opposite the Kapali Temple will start at 6 p.m. all four days. On the night of January 10 and 11, a 25-member Bhagavata Mela Natya Vidya Sangam troupe, led by Mali from Melattur in Thanjavur will present Prahalada Charitram and Andal Thirukalyanam on the main stage at the Sannidhi Square (Eastern side of Kapali Temple). Frozen Memories, a Hindi and Tamil film hits of the 1950s and 1960s will be held at 8.30 p.m. on January 12. The Trichur Brothers will present a concert on January 13 at 8 p.m.
Over 200 people will participate in the traditional pulli kolam contest to be held on January 12 and 13. Over 100 people of different age groups will take place in the traditional games championships to be held the same days at 5 p.m. at Lady Sivakami School. The games include pallankuzhi and dayakattam.
A new feature this year is young artists displaying their paintings and drawings in a lane. Alongside, portraits and small print will be done. A photo exhibition showcasing ace photographer Sukumar’s works from London Olympics 2012 will be on at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan all four days between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. A cycle rickshaw tours will take two adults on a 45-minute tour through the lanes and streets between North Mada Street and Bazaar Road of Mylapore. The Elai Sappad lunch at three Mylapore houses is on offer on January 13. Other events include dance recitals at the Temple, Mylapore Quiz and an exhibition of photos from Mylapore of the past and present.
Photographers of all ages are invited to capture the spirit of Mylapore during the festival. On any of the four days contestants should register at the Sundaram Finance Counter (at the Chess Square, Nageswara Rao Park) to cover the morning events from 6.30 a.m. and at the Sundaram Finance Counter (outside Rasi Silks) from 5.30 p.m. Participants can submit their CD with their collection of the festival images at Sundaram Finance, 21, Patullos Road on or before January 15. The best images will be on display at an exhibition to be held after the festival. At 7 p.m. the last day, the Spirit Of Mylapore award will be presented.
Other events for children include Madhubani painting workshop (January 12, 8 a.m.); paper craft workshop (January 13, 8 a.m.); and Chess Tourney (January 12 and 13, 8 a.m.), to be held at Nageswara Rao Park. As part of the eco-friendly initiative and to discourage the use of plastic bags, around 10,000 cloth bags with messages will be handed to visitors of the festival, in exchange of plastic bags. For details, visit www.mylaporefestival.com.
