CHENNAI: The events at the Urur Olcott Kuppam Vizha, which aims to take exclusive arts to inclusive spaces, continue to attract curious followers with every passing day as each programme brings out yet another little-known aspect of art and culture in Chennai.
Headlining the events at Raga Sudha Hall on Saturday were two power packed performances — one by a funeral singer and playback artiste ‘Marana Gaana’ Viji and the other a Silambattam performance by Power Pandian Asan and team.
Viji rocketed to fame through the song Danga Maari from the movie Anegan (2015), which has become a staple at every dance arena since. But for the listeners at his performance on Saturday, it was a rare opportunity to not just see him live but also turn quizzical about his unique profession.
“My songs are rightly called marana gaana because it speaks of the dead and the living and the meanings of all the rituals we follow on the occasion,” he explained. “I don’t write any of the songs that I sing — it comes straight from the heart, and through my mouth,” he says.
Following this up was a Silambattam performance from renowned stunt master Power Pandian Asan and team. It was performed as a lecture-demonstration led by national and international Silambattam champion Aishwarya Manivannan. “Silambattam is a 3,000-year old martial art dating back to the times of the Chola and Chera kings, and from that, it has today become a performing art that activates different aspects of your mind, body, and spirit,” said Aishwarya.
The students performed using a variety of ‘weapons’ including the Silambam stick, surul vaal (a whip like flexible sword), maankombu (weapons purported to be made out of deer antlers), and even demonstrated thee silambam (which is originally performed with fire at the end of the weapons).
“Silambam also uses a variety of moves that uses both your right and left sides of the brain, thus triggering creativity and lateral thinking. Besides, it has similarities with lots of other art forms, such as Bharatanatyam, yoga etc,” Aishwarya added.
Pandian also gave a short history of silambattam, which became popular among the public, through the fight sequences in MGR’s films. “The women’s silambattam team from TN is one of the strongest on the circuit, and has won laurels at national and international competitions,” he said.