The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation’s (TNTDC) first ever International Handicrafts Handlooms , Culture and Food Festival ‘Chennai Vizha’ in Island Ground Chennai was inaugurated by Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin on April 28 was an instant hit.
While it succeeded in scoring record breaking sales of handloom and handicrafts it also allowed the visitors to experience different culture from concerts to traditional dances. Such was the popularity, that TNTDC had to extend it beyond the original closing on May 14 to May 21.
During a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Sandeep Nanduri (MD, TNTDC) said Chennai Vizha helped in creating awareness about various arts and crafts and helped in boosting artisans’ business.
10 NATIONS 20 STATES
It was the largest international handicraft, handloom and culture festival in South India, the officer said.
Despite being the opening year, 10 countries and 20 states participated in the festival.
Expressing satisfaction on the success, Mr. Nanduri said, “We had written to all states and the central government departments to send their artisans. We also contacted all state handicraft and handloom boards to send their artisans. And I am glad to say that a large number turned out.”
MEGA STAGE
Poompuhar, a function was organized by CM MK Stalin for the benefit of handloom weavers, artisans and dancers.
A total of 311 stalls were set up, including 70 for handicrafts, 75 for Women Self Help Groups of Tamil Nadu, and 30 arenas from 10 foreign countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan.
As many as 83 stalls were dedicated for other states; 40 food stalls, and 13 tourism and handicraft production stalls. A large number of visitors with their children enjoyed the mega fest.
HANDLOOM GALORE
Handlooms like Kanchipuram, Arani, Thirubuvanam silk sarees, Salem silk sarees, Pure lace sarees, Kora cotton sarees, Pattu sarees, Kodambakkam sarees, Paramakudi cotton sarees, Rasipuram Thalampoo Korvai silk sarees, Chettinad Sungadi Sarees – you name it, they had it.
Organic handloom sarees, Negamam handloom sarees, Bhavani Jamakkalam caught the eyes of visitors and customers.
Apart from these, there were Bed Covers, Carpets, Decorative Linens, Table cloths, Pillow Covers, Towels, Paintings, Wood carvings, Women’s accessories, natural herbal products, art products made from oysters, cloth bags, Thanjavur paintings, wood sculptures, pattamadai mats – are just a few of all that was on display.
CULTURAL POTBOILER
Over five performances daily to feast the eyes and minds of the public have been on for three weeks.
Tamil Nadu’s Department of Arts and Culture organized Oyilattam, Mayilattam, Silambam, Kattaikal Attam, Karakaattam, Thappattam among many others that enthralled the crowd.
The Southern Cultural Centre organised folk dance performances from Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat. Then there was Punjab’s Khatka (Sword dance), Dhol dance, folk dances from Rajasthan, Kerala’s Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, Odisha’s Chhau that satiated hundreds with daily dose of culture and tradition.
Be it senior citizens or children, every age group participated. Mr. Nanduri hopes to organise Vizha every year as it not only showcases our diversified cultured but are also boosts awareness about handicrafts.
