Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2025 to be held from January 9th – 12th 

Chennai, January 6, 2025: The 21^st Edition of the popular Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival will be held from January 9^th to the 12^th, 2025. 

The festival was conceptualized to celebrate the culture and heritage of Mylapore, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, perhaps dating back to the 2^nd century CE. 

Over the years, the festival, this cultural extravaganza of music, dance and drama has grown into a vibrant movement celebrating the enduring cohesive passion of the community. 

Chennai’s rich traditions will continue to be celebrated – with heritage walks, dance, music, folk arts, kolam contests/display, food, craft workshops and chess contests along with opportunities to indulge in traditional games like Palanguzhi and Dayakattam. All this activity happens in the streets around the famed Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore. These events attract crowds, not just the locals but also tourists, who throng the streets of Mylapore to enjoy the programmes and activities. The Festival reiterates Chennai’s status as the ‘seat of culture’ that has stood the test of time.

This Festival 

 As part of the festival, Sundaram Finance has been crusading the cause of “Say No to Plastic Bags”. For the 13^th consecutive year, around 10,000 cloth bags will be given to residents in exchange for plastic bags on all four days of the festival. Ruva Foundation, a Bengaluru-based NGO, will assist with the distribution of these bags while educating the public on the ill-effects of plastic on the environment. Ruva Foundation will engage with the public through fun games while distributing the bags. Sundaram Finance will also conduct a “Keep Mylapore Clean” campaign by educating the public on hygiene and sanitation.

On the weekend of January 11^th and 12^th there will be a Chess tournament for children of the ages of 8, 10 and 12 at the Lady Sivasamy Ayyar School, Mylapore between 8 am to 11 am. There will also be an Art & Craft workshop for children under the age of 12, where String Art and Mandala coaster workshops will be held. Both these events are being held for the 15^th year.

Spirit of Mylapore:

This is an annual award instituted in 2009 to recognize the long-term residents or institutions of Mylapore who have contributed significantly to its culture and heritage. This year, the recipient for the award will be unveiled on Jan 12 at 5.45 pm in the main stage. We will facilitate them with a token cheque and a citation. 

Rajiv Lochan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance said, “As an organisation, we believe in preserving and nurturing local culture, heritage and traditions in places we operate in. There is an authentic sense of belonging that resonates with everyone and this is an opportunity to give back something meaningful to the city we love. 

From being a culture-focussed initiative, over the years it has evolved into a vibrant movement propelled by the community and its people, showcasing the enduring strength of collective passion. Performing artists, rasikas and the community at large collectively is what makes this ‘21’ year old festival very special as it has clearly evolved into a people driven movement- by the people and for the people. Besides, increasing urbanisation restricts scope to use open public spaces. Significantly, this event helps multi-generational connect when grandparents ‘hang out’ with their grandchildren in a fun space celebrating and sharing our culture and tradition.”

One of the unique features of the Festival is the Spirit of Mylapore award – a recognition of an individual or an organisation that has contributed immensely to the culture and growth of Mylapore. This year will be the 15^th year of the award and the recipient will be announced by 5:45 pm on the evening of January 12th, 2025.

Vincent D’Souza, Director of the Festival said, “The 2025 Festival has two special features to it. ‘One, two sets of artistes are touring some schools and campuses in Mylapore zone and performing there, daytime. Two, we are expanding the venues to more spots in Mylapore. This year, the campus of Sri Kolavizhi Amman Temple, Mylapore will be the venue for kolam, pallankuzhi, dayakattam and cultural concerts on the weekend.”