What began as a Kolam contest some 10 years back is now “Mylapore Festival” sponsored by Sundaram Finance. In January 2006, Mylapore Festival took place from January 5 to 8, 2006.

This giant kite made out of cloth welcomes you near the Raasi Silks

It brought people from all corners of the city, especially on the weekend, when over 200 women on each evening took part in the annual kolam contest held on North Mada Street.

Kolangal everywhere at Mylapore

Crafts and food, vintage coins and Tamil books, folk and classical arts, music, drama, cinema and music. Heritage walks were also arranged by the organizers.

The day I visited a Saturday, January 7, 2006, large Kolams were seen on North Mada Street.

On the same day , a folk art Kokkalikattai Attam with dancers dancing and walking on their stilt. They danced around the tank and reached near Rasi Silks where they continued the dancing. It was fascinating to watch the Kokkalikattai Attam. The troup is from Walajapet.

The head of the Troup, Mr L Manickam is a B A graduate. He also danced. There were many photographers taking shots of the event. One of the photographer showed the dancers, a photo taken by him in his digital camera display and they watched it with great interest.

There were quiet a lot of Chennai visitors. I could see a no of foreign tourists watching with interest.

I am posting in May 06 about Mylapore Festival which took place in January 06 since it is “Better Late than Never”

Here is a collage of Mylapore Festival.

For viewing the full set please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/balu/sets/1782405/