Foreign tourists presented with a slice of Tamil culture, tradition

Foreign tourists experience Tamil culture and tradition at Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena in Madurai, organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism.

Tourists from various foreign countries were presented with a slice of Tamil culture and tradition at Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena in Keezhakarai near Alanganallur in Madurai district, on ‘Mattu’ Pongal (Wednesday).

Tourists from the USA, the UK, Australia, France, Belgium and other countries participated at the event organised by Tamil Nadu Tourism. They were accorded a traditional welcome at the venue.

They were enthralled by the Bharatanatyam, Karagattam, Oyilattam, Silambam, Naiyandi Melan and other performances that they also joined the artistes in the performances. The tourists prepared ‘Pongal’ with the local residents, who were also brought to the venue. They relished the ‘Pongal’. They then joined the residents in drawing colourful kolams.

French couple Yann Ledru and Catherine Gie, who were a part of the team that managed the infrastructure facilities at the 2024 Paris Olympics, said that they were impressed with the arrangements made at the venue.

They said that they had earlier visited North India and this was the first time that they were touring the South and Madurai was a part of their itinerary. The couple said that they were captivated by the traditional attire ‘Vesti’ and ‘Sari’.

Tony Rimolti and his wife Louis from the UK, dressed in ‘Veshti’ (dhoti) and ‘Salwar Kameez’ said that this was what they had come to see: the culture and the tradition of the place. It was lovely to experience a new culture, they said.

Indiran of Tamil origin from Malaysia had come with his family. He said that he was familiar with the culture and wanted to witness it with the family in a traditional place. Though the tourists were given handbills about the details of the event, he suggested that a detailed explanation before each art form before the performance would have helped the tourists understand the performance even better. Nevertheless, they joined artistes in performing the art form.