CHENNAI: When ‘Chennai Sangamam 2010’ kicked off with a dazzling folk art performance titled ‘Pirapookam’ (All are equal by birth) on Sunday, an octogenarian Communist leader was among the huge throng of spectators at Island Grounds, sitting in the last row of chairs and watching the show on a CCTV set.
CPM State secretary N Varadarajan sat through the event drawing the attention of hardly a handful of persons — one man introduced his wife to him and a tea boy offered him a free cuppa — and left the venue as soon as Chief Minister M Karunanidhi began his inaugural address with his customary salutation ‘En Uyrinum melaanna Kazhaga thondargalay’.
A group of policewomen seated behind Varadarajan blissfully unaware of a VIP guest before them, chatted amongst themselves.
The veteran politician was visibly enthralled by the show at the cultural fest. His unassuming presence, however, was reflective of the mood for the theme ‘Pirapookam’, for he came, saw and left as if he were any other member of the audience, without the airs of a politician, despite being a three-time MLA.
When asked about the event, Varadarajan told Express on Monday that he enjoyed the show and also learnt how to organise a grand rural folk performance. Since the CPM always supported rural folk arts, he was appreciative of the effort taken by the government to promote such events.