Held daily from 5–10 PM, the festival showcases 20+ folk performances like Karagattam, Mayilattam, and Paraiyattam, offering a vibrant, immersive glimpse into Tamil Nadu’s rich rural cultural traditions
Published Jun 14, 2025 | 4:58 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 14, 2025 | 4:58 PM
Neythal arts and food festival: Celebrating four years of Tamil folk culture in Thoothukudi
Synopsis: For the past four years, the Tamil Nadu government has hosted book fairs and cultural festivals statewide. Among them, Thoothukudi’s Neythal Arts and Food Festival, led by MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, stands out. Launched in 2022, it celebrates coastal heritage, revives dying folk arts with 300+ performers annually, and features traditional and global cuisines, making it a vibrant cultural landmark
For the past four years, the Government of Tamil Nadu has been organizing book fairs and cultural festivals across various districts. Among them, the Neythal Arts and Food Festival in Thoothukudi stands out.
Spearheaded by Member of Parliament Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, this annual event has evolved into a vibrant celebration of Tamil Nadu’s coastal heritage, blending traditional and contemporary art forms.
First launched in 2022, the Neythal Festival has brought together more than 300 folk artists each year. The festival focuses on reviving and showcasing traditional art forms that are on the brink of extinction, bringing them closer to the public.
Alongside the artistic showcase, the festival hosts a diverse food fair featuring Tamil Nadu’s traditional dishes as well as culinary specialties from other Indian states and countries, introducing new tastes to the people of Thoothukudi.
Now in its fourth edition, the Neythal Festival is currently being held at the V.O.C. College Grounds in Thoothukudi.
The Neythal Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of Tamil folk culture and artistic heritage. Aimed at highlighting the richness and diversity of the state’s traditional art forms, the festival runs every evening from 5 PM to 10 PM, featuring over 20 different folk performances such as Karagattam, Mayilattam, Oyilattam, Thevarattam, Paraiyattam, Kuchiyattam, Thudumbattam, Jimbala Melam, Poikkal Kuthirai, and more. These performances reflect the spirit and rhythm of Tamil rural life, offering a culturally immersive experience to audiences.
Complementing the performances is a traditional food exhibition with more than 20 stalls offering region-specific dishes from across Tamil Nadu. This not only showcases culinary heritage but also provides a platform for local food artisans to reach wider audiences.
Padma Shri awardee Velu Aasan participating in the Neythal Arts Festival every year
On 13 June, the festival opens with Mangala Isai by the Thoothukudi Government Music School. This is followed by a performance from the Samar Folk Troupe, Bharatanatyam by the Abhinaya Nrithyalaya Dance School, a special “Funky Bodhi” performance by Paul Jacob as part of the Chennai Sangamam 2025 launch, and a music concert by the Sold Out Band along with the Oli Isai ensemble.
The second day features performances by the Thamizhan Da Folk Troupe from Thoothukudi, a multi-genre performance by the Valliyur Abhinaya Geetham group, Thevarattam by Kumar Raman’s troupe, Perunchalangaiyattam by artists from Zameen Kodangipatti and Kongu Cultural Centre, Malar Kambam by differently-abled artists from Villupuram led by Malan, a folk performance by the Vivekananda Rural Art Ensemble from Kanchipuram, and a musical concert by Madras Junction band featuring Super Singer fame Sham Vishal and the Oli Isai ensemble.
The final day includes performances by the Thoothukudi Government Music School, the Neythal Folk Ensemble, Kalaivanar Perumurasu Troupe from Anthiyur, the Uvari Kaliyal troupe from Thoothukudi, a rare instrumental showcase by the Urubanar Ensemble focusing on ancient Tamil instruments, folk songs by Marley Anthony, and a grand finale by the celebrated folk-fusion artist Anthony Daasan and his band.
Recently honoured with the Padma Shri award, parai (traditional drum) artist Velu Asan has been participating in the Neythal Arts Festival every year, performing and contributing to its cultural offerings.
Speaking to South First, he said, “This is the fourth year of the Neythal Festival. It’s not just about showcasing art—folk artists from various districts are working to bring endangered art forms to the people. Just as artist Kalaignar(M. Karunanidhi) developed the Chennai Sangamam to nurture the arts, Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi is organizing this festival on the ground here, introducing these arts directly to the public. I thank her for that.”
Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi delivering inaugural speech
Speaking at the festival’s inauguration, MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi remarked:
“Neythal is not just the name of a landscape by the sea—it represents the way of life of coastal communities. Whether we call these expressions folk arts or soil-rooted arts, they are truly the people’s arts.”
“The performance forms such as Koothu and rural music, which reflect a deeply realistic way of life, narrate the struggles, joys, and everyday experiences of people. In the songs of hill-dwelling communities, we find references to the trees they see, the food they eat, and their lifestyle.”
“Likewise, the songs of coastal people talk about the types of fish they prefer, the boats they use, the nets they cast, and so on. These are not just songs—they are stories of a lived reality.”
“These soil-rooted art forms reflect our life and culture. We must pass them on to the next generation. This festival is an effort to help people understand and appreciate the lifeworlds of our communities.”
“I extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the people of Thoothukudi, who support this festival every year, and to the folk artists who embody our cultural spirit. No festival is complete without food. Your applause and appreciation give our artists a sense of fulfillment,” she concluded.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
