Cultural performance

For the past few years, during the month of January, Chennai is revelling in the time of Pongal festival, due to the cultural performance by performers from villages, in different parts of the city. These performing arts are part of the village culture, which is performed during the harvest festival every year. Due to modernazation, the art and the artists have faded to oblivion, as the people moved to theatres and theme parks for entertainment, but it is still, alive in villages. These arts are now revived and it is a boon to the present generation in cities to witness the folk art, which they read about in text books.

The performing artist is carrying a musical instrument called "Devadandhoobi" also called "Urmi". The music from the instrument is mesmerising and is sure to make anyone watching, tap their foot. Their dance synchronises beautifully with the music and it is quite captivating.

    

                                                                                                        Poi kal kudirai aatam

                                                                                                                            Thappattam
  

                                                                                                                           Thevarattam
        

                                                                                                        Karagattam

Royapuram Fishing Harbour

Royapuram famous for the first railway station to be constructed in south India, is also popular for its fish. A visit to the Royapuram fishing harbour befor dawn, to capture the lively life there, was an exhilarating experience. The right place for fish lovers to see fish piled in little mountains in all directions, women selling fish as early as five in the morning,  fishermen busily engaged in shifting the fish to the land from their canoes, men bidding on a raised voice, trying to find the best bidder and the entire area bustling with life even though it is still ‘dark'. They say the best catch can be seen as early as two 'o' clock in the morning and most of the good ones will be gone by that time. It was not only the fish that impressed me, but also the people who were lovely and they all appeared to be like one large happy family, who were very cooperative and too willing to help me in taking pictures, even though I was hindering their business. I am thankful to three people who made this possible, if not for them I wouldn’t have done it . First, two nice people, who for my quest, gave up their sleep on a sunday morning and made this visit come true and third, Deepika, who aslo let me spoil her morning and was more like a guide and helped in taking me around, so that I never missed anything interesting that came by. Thanks guys.

Welcome to 

Royapuram Fishing Harbour

                                                                                     Here a fish, there a fish, everywhere fish, fish

                                                                                              Squids galore

                                                                                         Clams

                                                      
  
                                                                                               Snail

  

                                                                                                      Live crabs

                                                                                             Street food spread

                                                                                                           Sun dried fish

                                                                     Salted and dried fish ready for sale

Chennai Beach

Chennai beach view from Fisherman’s Cove on the East Coast Road. Details of Chennai beach will follow later.

Dakshinachitra-2

The tradition and culture of other southern states are also brought alive in this centre. There are folk performers, puppeteers, craftsman, potters, who continuously showcase their art and entertain the visitors.

Ayyanar Temple

Weaver’s house

                                                                             A live demo is conducted on how to weave a saree

Syrian Christian House

                                                                       Calicut House

                                                                     
                                                                    open air theatre

                                                         
                                                           Ikkat House and the Kitchen