Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Mylapore Chase - Submit answers before Jan. 1, 2012

Every year, the festival encourages the young and the old to join hands and discover the naighbourhood. Mylapore is a treasure trove of history, culture, art, religion and social history.
The teams that participate in the physical Mylapore Chase always enjoyed going around the small and big streets of Mylapore and discover new things!
This time it is an online hunt.
Santhosh Subramanian, who runs Bambaram Toy Library has volunteered to link the clues to Google map and co-ordinate the online chase.
With two clues every alternate day, he has just put up the final set of clues today. The answers should be mailed on or before Jan. 1, midnight.

Here is the link to participate in the hunt.


Follow the rules given on this blog. Go hunting online from wherever you are.
There are goodies to win as in the past years.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Theme song for Mylapore

Sing a song celebrating the communities of Mylapore!
Here comes the theme song for this year's festival.

A team of youngsters guided by the dance guru Revathi Ramachandran, who picked up verses exactly matching the theme of the audio-video-multimedia-dance narrative production planned for this year have created this.
The lyrics are set to tune by Ms. V. Nandini, a music teacher based in R.A. Puram.
Click on the play button to play the song.






Credits
Lyrics: Bharathiyaar’s composition - 'Thozhil'
Tunes: Smt. Nandini Venkatraman
Sound Direction: Sri Baba Prasad

Vocals:

1. N. Aishwarya
2. V.Srivaralakshmi
3. M. Hariganesh
4. S.Samanvitha
5. S.Sridharini

Accompaniments:

Violin:
1. B. Aravind
2. S.Sidharth

Keyboard: S.Sidharth

Mridangam:
1. M.Hariganesh
2. Baba Prasad

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Fest in Open Spaces: the challenges

There are many challenges you face when you run an arts fest in public spaces, that too in one of Chennai's most famed spaces - the precincts of Sri Kapali Temple.

The idea that we have been driving is the need to create heritage zones in spaces like these, declare them as walk only zones and let people enjoy the sights and sounds, shop in peace and take home nice experiences.

Thankfully, the city police and the courts have seen our point and their responses have encouraged us.

Yet, we have to work with the traditions of this space. This year, the religious events at the temple will call for processions of the gods every day, morn and evening and so, we have had to redesign our stage and events to respect the processions.

Photo Exhibition; Mylapore

Photographer R. Saravanan who works for Mylapore Times has a collection of pictures of Mylapore of the past. One set of vocational studies that students in the 60s used to pursue in local schools.
Another set of social events in homes and around.

Saravanan is still looking for 'old Mylapore' pictures and would be happy if you wish to contribute too.
He just copied pictures of carol singers doing the rounds of the area in the early 70s.
You call Sara at 98410 22843.

The show will be on either North Mada or East Mada Street. Jan 5 to 8, 2012


Want to offer Elai Sapad?

We would like the elai sapad idea to catch on. And we have been spreading the word.
Four people have shown some interest in this concept for this year's Fest. Do spread the word.
You need to entertain one or two guests for starters. That should do!

Very Mylaporean to add to the Festival of 2012.
If you wish to have more info on this concept call 98405 44629 ( Revathi).

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Kolams as Art Exhibit/ On North Mada Street, Mylapore

This was an idea that popped up at Fest 2011, In january this year.
Why cannot we make an attempt to create an exhibiot out of the two weekend Kolam Contests that we hold?
Like an Art Installation on the Mylapore Street. . on the eastern end of North Mada Street.

Barricade the 100 plus kolams once the contest is over ( 5 pm), floodlight the area and allow people to enjoy the carpet of 100 kolams from 5 pm to 10 pm.

We are taking this idea to the City Police Commissioner soon. And knowing that J K Tripathy has been warm to community projects, he mayl be a supporter.

If you have ideas on how we can make this wow, please do email us. And if you want to volunteer here to keep an eye on the exhibit on the two evenings, please sign up.

Elai Sapad on a Sunday in a Mylapore house

Elai Sapad on a gentle Sunday afternoon in margazhi January 2012.
That is the idea that we hope we can promote in a small way during this Festival.

The idea is simple - we are looking for people who love to cook a traditional elai sapad at their homes and serve it to guests on Jan.8, 2012.

We would prefer the household to have a Mylaporean setting at home - this will lend a special local feel to the guests.

The way it works is like this - we first sign up 4/5 Mylapore families willing to entertain guests on Jan 8, between 11 am and 2 pm for 2/3 rounds of elai sapad, then publicise the concept and offer to the world and allow you to sign up guests you can handle!

You do the booking, you plan the sapad and you fix the charge too. Don't make it a five star rate! But people will expect the very best!!

The idea of the Fest organisers is to promote the tradition of the Mylapore community at the Fest.
It is an idea that well wisher Sheela Rani Chunkath, IAS officer, now CMD of TN Handicrafts shared with us. Thank you Sheela Rani.

If you and your family want to be part of this, call Revathi at 98405 44629. Now.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

New Audio Visual Production

A new production is rolling for MF 2012. Its focus will be on less known communities of Mylapore. Like the weavers, the potters and the goldsmiths.
The production will present dance, mime, acts, narrtion, music and visuals on and off the stage.
It will be staged on all the 4 evenings of the Fest.

Wellknown Bharatanatyam dancer and guru Revathi Ramachandran of Chennai will put the show together.
It should run for about 40minutes.
Hopefully, we should record this show and have it up on YouTube.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Calling young Mylapore musicians to contribute to a theme song!

A theme song for the Sundaram Finance MYLAPORE FESTIVAL 2012 is to be produced.

We are looking for young, talented Mylaporean artistes who will give their talent freely to the song and for interludes to be used in a dance-visual production on a Mylapore theme.

We now need 2 violinists ( classical), 4 voices ( trained in classical), one mirdangam artiste, one tabla artiste . . We prefer youngsters who are training in music for 2/3 years and enjoy this collaboration.

The song will be posted on the Fest web site and used in a  dance production for the Fest.
Those selected will have to devote 2/3 hrs for 3/4 practise sessions in Nov and one/two recording sessions in the city. 
All of them will get certificates and acknowledgement on the screen.
Keen to be part of this creative team? 

Call Sridharini at 98412 33120.

Come. Design a Tee for Mylapore! Win!!

This is a contest for everybody - doodlers in school, kolam drawing experts, design/fashion students . . For creative people.
Show your creativity in designing a T-shirt for the annual MYLAPORE FESTIVAL ( to be held in Jan.2012). The design should reflect the spirit, uniqueness of Mylapore.

The design can be done using Adobe / CorelDraw design software.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY:

Submit your design as a jpeg file or a PDF file (700 x 700 pixels size of minimum 150 dpi.) You may submit your design as a jpeg file through email to - mylaporefestival@yahoo.com

Please retain the original hi-res design with you. We will need it if your design wins the contest.


Please state your full name, address, email ID and contact phone number and a statement saying the design is your own creation.


Last date to submit your entry - Nov.29, 2011

PRIZES: The BEST DESIGN will WIN Rs.2000 AND A CERTIFICATE

TWO OTHER ENTRIES of good quality with get Certificate and a Gift.

The BEST submission for this contest may be used on a T-shirt planned for the Sundaram Finance MYLAPORE FESTIVAL 2012. Or, the best designer will be invited to create a unique design for future use.

( You can locate the winning 2011 Fest T-shirt design on the web site - www.mylaporefestival.com to give you some inspiration!).

We are back! Fest dates are Jan 5 to 8, 2012

Yes, we are back for the 2012 edition of the Fest.

Things have been rolling for some time but I haven't made time to jot them down here.

The dates to mark in January 2012 are 5, 6, 7 and 8. The kolam contests will be on 7th and 8th.
And we are rolling our first event soon. The Fest T-shirt contest.


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Thanks SF!

Time to say Thank You to our sponsors, Sundaram Finance.
Team SF was led personally by its chief exec, T T Srinivasaraghavan (TTS) and Vice President, Sivakumar.

It is that extra effort that SF puts into this Fest that we curate and host that makes things a tad easy.

Sunday's events ran smooth which enabled TTS to decorate the promoters of Dubba Chetty Store, Mylapore with the Pride of Mylapore award and hop across to the temple to take out the gold ther in a procession, a Fest idea that has been maintained all the years.

Thanks SF.

Calling Creative People - for 2012

Yes, You are welcome to send us creative ideas, your production details and the rest for Fest 2012.
Now. Because plans roll out 2 days after a Fest closes. And surely you don't want to be late.

We have already signed up 3 new volunteers who just came back from the USA. And 2 artists who have an idea to share along the way.

A production for kids will float in mid year.
On the cards is a video fest of films made by youths and kids. Shooting will start in June.

Our email - mylaporefestival@yahoo.com

Sold Out!

The cloth bags promoted by sponsors Sundaram Finance were a big hit.
So were the Tees.

Till late on Sunday night, visitors checked out for bags at the Info Booth but by then the bags had been packed.

The demand for black Tees, with the peacock motif was high. Bookings have been made and a lot of 100 has been ordered.
If you want to grab the peacock motif black Tee, reserve one now. Or drop into the Mylapore Times office ( 2498 2244) next week after your Pongal festivities and buy one here ( Alwarpet).

I think we should have had more souvenirs. People love them.
Give us your ideas!

Thank you kids!

The Kids Zone had a nice start this year.
On Sunday, about 60 children signed up for various art/craft learning sessions at Lady Sivaswamy School hall. Magician Baba Prasad treated them and their parents to a magic show, real close!

Time now to think of raising the level of this act, threading it to other events for children and getting dozens and dozens of them to sign up.
We have some nice ideas for 2012.
Do share yours too. Write to us!

A Kolam Art Show?

This is being posted after the curtains came down on the 2011 Fest.

The focus was again on a few areas.

1. Kolam. The quality of kolam are Day 2 were very high. Judging was tough and the best got the prizes.
A thought came up - plan for a Kolam Art Exhibition whereby the road is barricaded and floodlights set up so that the 100 plus kolams can be viewed by the public from 5 pm to 11 pm.
What do you think of this idea?

2. A Saturday Night Fest - on the cards. If the Kolam Show gathers pace then small shows will run from 9.30 pm to 11 pm and the art and food streets will remain open late. The idea is to get Madras to come over to Mylapore and soak in late!
Good idea?

Send us yours!

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Drizzles do not dampen the spirit

The clouds gathered on day two of the fest.
Dancer Premnath and his 35 young artistes were engrossed in their dance drama 'Andal Kalyanam' when tiny droplets started falling from the sky. But the little Andal went on inviting her friends to see the Lord through Tiruppavai.
The audience looked for a shelter for a few seconds but were back to their seats within no time. The finale was wonderful.
These challenges are common in fests in the open. Artistes understand. Audience co-operate.
And that makes the festival more colourful and enjoyable.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Sober start

Day One was cool and sober. Perhaps its nice to start a Fest this way. People settle down, things fall in place.
Day one needs time to settle volunteers, artistes, craftspeople and participants so that the streets come alive.
They did as the buzz got around.
And there was a nice round of applause for the first big dance drama show on the main stage by Revathi Ramachandran and her dancers.
If you are at the Fest, do mail us pictures and words. Or send us links of your blogposts.

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Long, long walk down Edward Elliots Road

Writer-historian V. Sriram says that he will need 21/2 hours to cover his Sunday Walk for the Mylapore Fest 2011.
That is because he has over 40 personalities to talk about on this Heriatge Walk ( Jan 9, starts 6 am at Gandhi statue on the Marina).

We've told him to keep going - if you are joining Sriram do carry some juice and biscuits!
No free breakfast here!
Or maybe we could have planned a breakfast sit-around.
What say you?

Thamizh please!

We heard this loud and clear and have responded.
Fest schedules were printed in English and that was not enough.
So we printed a set in Thamizh and imagine the feedback thats come the way of our young volunteers who are doing the rounds of the lanes from 6 a.m.

They have been inviting families who live in the inner colonies to come for the Fest and enjoy it. People loved the steps that the volunteers took to personally invite them.
Communicate in Thamizh too - we got the message Mylapore !

Good feedback on Discover Mylapore!

25 teams took part in this year's Discover Mylapore contest we held on Sunday.
And the  feedback is so strong that we feel good about hosting it.
School students said they enjoyed the trip and got to know a part of Mylapore better.

We plan to host this event in a different format for 2012. Families will have to sign up.
And there will be a picnic feel to it.
Thanks folks for making us feel good about this event.
Special thanks to Suri K J who lends a hand always.

Look for the Cloth Bags!

SF, the Fest sponsor will continue its 'lets go green' campaign through this Fest the way it did last year.
So all those who carry plastic bags in the Fest area will have to part with those for new cloth bags.
They look great in design. Ask for one, for free.