Women Artists Dominate Chennai Sangamam Festival with Stunning Performances
The Chennai Sangamam festival, held from January 15 to 18 this year, transformed into a vibrant celebration of women's artistry. Organized by the state department for tourism and culture along with Tamil Maiyam, the event saw female performers leading the way on stages across the city.
Thenmozhi Rajendran's Masterful Karagam Display
At Elliot's beach in Besant Nagar, a crowd of nearly 2,000 spectators watched in awe as 55-year-old Thanjavur Karagam dancer Thenmozhi Rajendran performed. She placed a decorated steel pot on her head with ease, swaying gracefully while teasing fellow dancers into losing their balance. Her own poise remained unshaken throughout.
Minutes later, Rajendran climbed onto a bench, slipped into a semi-squat position, and lifted one leg. She extended her arms horizontally, drawing massive applause from the enthusiastic audience.
"I have performed karagam since I was 11 years old," Rajendran shared. "Crowds across the world have clapped for me, yet every stage feels equally special. Karagam is deeply scientific; the balance it requires demonstrates physics in action. I wish more young people understood this artistic discipline."
Women Excel Both On and Off Stage
This year's festival highlighted how women contributed not just as performers but also in crucial behind-the-scenes roles. Suresh Kumar, lead singer of an Oyilattam troupe from Tuticorin, acknowledged that while he fronted their performance, the lyrics came from S Rajalakshmi, an accomplished Indian folk and playback singer.
Many women artists displayed remarkable versatility by wearing multiple hats. Twenty-nine-year-old Mari Latha, who performed with the same Oyilattam team, also trains in Bharatanatyam and Marakkal Attam.
"I performed Bharatanatyam in front of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019," Latha recalled. "We welcomed him at the airport with our traditional dance."
Irular Community Preserves Heritage Through Dance
For the Irular dancing community, Chennai Sangamam served a more profound purpose beyond entertainment. S Rani, leader of the Irular dance community, explained their cultural journey.
"Our ancestors composed and sang while hunting, gathering herbs, and traveling through forests," Rani said. "These songs helped them endure grueling work. We learned them orally and, since the 1990s, have documented 184 such traditional songs."
The community has begun adapting performances to address contemporary issues. Using their distinct Chengalpet style, they staged performances against child marriage and for women's empowerment, attracting many young audience members.
Record Attendance at Cultural Extravaganza
B Hemanathan, deputy director (Schemes) at the state department of art and culture, reported impressive numbers for the four-day event. Approximately four lakh people attended Chennai Sangamam, demonstrating strong public interest in traditional Tamil cultural expressions.
The festival successfully blended ancient art forms with modern relevance, proving that traditional dance remains vibrant and meaningful in contemporary society.
