A cultural festival that connects North Chennai with South Chennai

When Carnatic musician TM Krishna came up with Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha a couple of years ago, there was a hue and cry by artists from various fields. The singer’s mission was to break barriers and take art beyond borders. This year, Krishna and team have decided to take the vizha to the cultural melting pot of North Chennai — the birthplace of gaana — with a new name, the Chennai Kalai Theruvizha (Street Festival). The events will be held in multiple suburbs of the city with the objective of culturally connecting North Chennai with South Chennai.

“We started the discussion with the divide that exists between the cultures of North Chennai and South Chennai. It is not a cultural divide, but also how we treat north Chennai in terms of facilities, people and how we are marginalising the space and the environment. We wanted to create a bridge and organise a festival there. We started the discussion with a group called Arunodaya, which is partnering with us in Korukkupet. The culture in each part of North Chennai is different and we wanted to bring all these multiple cultures together and present to people of Chennai,” says Krishna.

The performances are diverse and cut across Chennai’s socio-religious spectrum — gaana, fusion dance, Carnatic, Bharatanatyam, Islamic, Anglo-Indian, paraiattam, a photo walk in North Chennai, a conversation with Director Pa. Ranjith, and more.

Krishna also says that the performers on board were excited when he approached them with the concept. “Artistes, in general, love exploring new audiences. So, when I suggested the idea of organising a cultural festival in North Chennai, all of them were excited. Through this festival, we are changing two parameters — space and audience. I am sure that the possibilities of learning and understanding different kinds of responses to art become innumerable. This is the best way to break barriers in art forms,” shares Krishna.