The cultural cauldron of our millennia old city unique with its rich heritage will be laid bare at a three-day festival starting tomorrow, where you can swathe in nostalgia and experience a beautiful slice of Madurai that was.
The first of its kind umbrella event conceived and put together by CII and Travel Club (TC), Madurai, aims to serve twin purpose — revive Temple Town's cultural significance and create awareness among locals, particularly youths and; showcase the diversity, history, heritage and arts of the oldest cultural capital city of Tamil Nadu to domestic and foreign tourists and promote its tourism potential.
The team of passionate festival directors feel the city's cultural and natural heritage and the surrounding history is under threat not only due to the traditional causes of decay, but also by the changing social and economic order. And therefore, “Madurai Vizha” – Magnificent Madurai, is going to be an all out celebration of the city.
The spotlight of the fair is on folk music and dances, traditional games, arts, crafts, health care and alternate medicine like ayurveda and siddha and regional culinary delights.
Demonstrations by culinary experts and artisans of tie-and-dye, terracotta, wood carving, basket weaving, mat making, portrait sketching and appliqué work besides a host of competitions in kolam drawing, cooking, traditional costume, hair dressing, essay writing and quiz have all been lined up for people curious to delve in the past.
Old Tamil movie screenings, pattimandram, display of traditional household wares, antique jewellery, old artifacts and paintings, hand printed textiles and ethnic designs, ancient literature and Tamil scripts, old photos depicting Madurai's history and Mahatma Gandhi's story and his link with the city and food court selling traditional healthy food are other value-added attractions. Not to forget the shopping opportunities.
The organizers are bristling with youthful enthusiasm about the event, reiterating the importance of having such events to safeguard against the slow demise of such incredible heritage the city holds.
“Our target visitors are ‘the people' – from domestic, foreign and prospective tourists to local citizens, students, media, historians, housewives, professionals, those in travel, trade and hospitality industry. It is for them to see, know and preserve the age old art forms,” points out Dr.Uma Kannan, CII Culture and Tourism panel convener.
Simultaneous events have been planned to provide a vast platform for folk and local artistes to showcase their talent and enable the art lovers to witness the activities of their choice and learning as well.
The festival to be inaugurated by Collector C.Kamaraj will kick off with folk performances, launch of exclusive tourism website for Madurai, report presentation on tourism potential in Southern districts of the State and much more.
Some highlights include a short presentation and interactive session on traditional arts and creativity by Dr. Srinidhi Chidambaram, Chitrai Thiruvizha presentation by Mahatma School, Heritage talk on Madurai by Manohar Devadoss, screening of the film “Gandhi” and narration of stories by senior citizens.
The natural setting, spirit of the place, and the continuity of cultural traditions will all blend at the Gandhi Museum during these three days (January 28 to 30) to create an awareness and preserve the unique life and lifestyle of Madurai and ensure that it emerges as rich cultural tourism hotspot on every traveller's map.
The fete is open from 9.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. with an entry ticket of Rs.10 per adult (children and students free).
