Celebrating Nature's Five Elements

Tamil literature boasts of a very keen understanding of the five elements of nature. How does the Tamil society today respond to these elements? How do the changes in the modern world impact these elements?

These questions will be addressed at Aimbootham Vizha — a one-day event that will celebrate the five elements. The event will be organised by Poovulagin Nanbargal, and is aimed at reliving the glory of the Tamil history even while taking a relook at the various contemporary issues confronting Tamils. Well-known critics and writers will be discussing these topics at the event.

Aimbootham Vizha will document what must be known in the relationship between nature and the Tamil society. The event has been inspired from the works of Tamil literaure like Sangam and Bharathi, that have always celebrated the five elements of nature. The idea of taking the five elements as the theme goes back to the ancient Tamils who were well aware that human life owed its very existence to the five elements. These elements  were the fundamentals of traditional medicine across the world, according to the medical literature of any civilisation, says the team behind Aimbootham Vizha.

The event is expected to become as much a success as the previous events organised by  Poovulagin Nanbargal. These include Ainthinai Vizha, centering on the five Tamil land formations, and Muneer Vizhavu, the festival of water.

The event will incorporate musical and food festivals. Besides, it will host book stalls and a photo exhibition. Cultural performances by tribal communities from various parts of Tamil Nadu will be a highlight. As many as 20 books on contemporary environmental issues will also be released, and the day is set to end with a dinner based on millets.

The event will take place at Loyola College on February 2. The registration fee is `250.