Festival Time

Chennai has a music, dance, and Tamil cultural festival every year from the middle of December to the middle of January. I try to take in the performances whenever possible, especially the traditional dance (Bharat Natyam), which is often fantastic. Today, however, I experienced something new. A co-worker encouraged me to come along with her to an Alliance Francaise sponsored event entitled "The Giraffes." Essentially, there were large, red, inflated giraffes manned by (French) people pulling strings (causing the extended necks of the giraffes to lengthen and then wilt) making their way through crowded (but blocked-off-to-traffic) streets, while two opera singers sang and twirled rings of fire through the air while being catapulted by enormous see-saws. If the mental image conjured by that description is hazy, think of what it was like to be there. The crowds, of course Indian and timid, were constantly scared of the performers who would suddenly swing by, leading to many near stampedes. Perhaps the event can best be described as opera, circus, parade, and cultural extravaganza all in one. Too bad I didn't have my camera on me.