Annual performing arts festivals

Since its inception in 1990 the Sangam has organized and curated its own Performing Arts Festivals in an endeavor to help put Kattaikkuttu on the cultural map.

Kattaikkuttu performances have been at the core of each and every festival. However, the program always features other theatrical, musical and dance performances that cut across the cultural and social boundaries that divide India’s rich traditional, classical, folk and contemporary performance arena.

Through its programming the Festival allows rural spectators to witness other performance genres that normally would be out of bounds for them. Similarly it allows urban theatre enthusiasts, research scholars and international guests to experience the vibrancy and richness of Kattaikkuttu. And equally important, it allows performers of different genres to see each other’s performances and establish novel contacts between forms backstage.

In line with regular Kattaikkuttu performances, all festival performances are free and accessible to rural, urban and international spectators. However, we appreciate donations in support of these festivals so as to bring this cultural diversity to you and pay all performers properly.

KALAI THIRU VIZHAA | லைதிரு விழா 2024

November 2, 2024 to January 4, 2025 | 10 consecutive Saturdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

@ KATTAIKKUTTU SANGAM | Punjarasantankal Village near Kanchipuram

The KALAI THIRU VIZHAA 2024 sought to bring the city to the village and vice versa, fostering a cultural exchange that benefits both rural and urban audiences. Spanning 10 weeks, the festival featured 18 shows performed by 200+ artists.

In addition to Kattaikkuttu — in its fully-fledged ensemble format and as an inspiration for contemporary solo performances — the festival program, curated by Dr Hanne M. de Bruin, included other traditional and contemporary music and theatre forms, including solo-performances created by women inspired by Kattaikkuttu. Karnatic Kattaikkuttu, a collaborative production together with Karnatic vocalist T. M. Krishna and ensemble and a retrospective of four plays of Kattaikkuttu actor, director and playwright P. Rajagopal featured prominently in the festival.

The KALAI THIRU VIZHAA 2024 culminated in the performance of the Mahabharata by 53 Sangam members condensed to a single night and directed by Perungattur P. Rajagopal. We thank all institutional and individual donors for their support.

You can see most of the KALAI THIRU VIZHAA 2024 performances on the Kattaikkuttu Sangam’s YouTube channel.

Previous festivals

2023

10 Saturdays of Mahabharata performances by the younger generation of Kattaikkuttu performers who graduated from the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam.

2024

A short festival showcasing 3 regular Kattaikkuttu performances commissioned and then cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The one-night festival featured also the new production of பார்வை or The Gaze.

You can see Mahabharata Festival performances on the Kattaikkuttu Sangam’s YouTube channel.