Urur-Olcott festival to include art, rock shows

The festival comes barely months after Chennai’s inclusion into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its musical tradition. Keeping in line with these discussions, the festival embodies the spirit of creative cities, by creating an inclusive space for various artistic expressions. 

Nityanand Jayaraman, one of the organisers of the Vizha, said that the discussion has been surrounded by the ‘Creative Cities’ tag. “The tag is not an award but a challenge about becoming a city that is truly inclusive; where creativity of all type is allowed to exist,” he said. He added that there has been a resurgence in terms of diverse artistic expressions. 

“Apart from the festival, there have been performances by the Casteless Collective and other such showcases of various art forms happening along the city. There has been a resurgence of a healthy form of cultural activities,” said Jayaraman. 

“What we need is access to more public space. The artistic expressions exist despite the government’s help. If the government steps in to create diversity and inclusiveness in art forms, then scope to portray art will increase,” he added. The pre-festival festivities kicked off on Monday, with a Tamil Bhakthi Paadalgal and a showcase of a Tamil play titled The Tempest by Crea Shakthi. 

On January 20 and 21, the line-up includes performances by the Mallipoo and the Alwas as well as a showcase of art forms such as Kattaikkuttu, Pava Kathakali, Poi Kaal Kudhirai and Kaaragattam. 

Renowned Carnatic musician TM Krishna will perform at the Besant Nagar beach on January 27. The festival also includes a beach cleanup on February 3, followed by a Tamil rock concert by Pithukuli at Square near Chittappa’s House, a popular landmark in Urur Kuppam.