Coimbatore: The villagers of Bagathur and Vellikuppampalayam near Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district celebrated pongal with gaiety and fervour by enacting 'Hiranyan' drama which they claim as a 300-year-old tradition.
Coimbatore: The villagers of Bagathur and Vellikuppampalayam near Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district celebrated pongal with gaiety and fervour by enacting 'Hiranyan' drama which they claim as a 300-year-old tradition.
Organised by Hiranya Nadaga Sabha, every year the street play starts on the night of the first day of Thai Pongal and continues until the dawn of Maatu Pongal.According to the villagers, the people of Bagathur and Vellikuppampalayam were severely affected by plague that hit the villages, few centuries back. They claim that during the crisis, people enacted Hiranyan plays and got relieved from plague. As a belief, the street play of Hiranyan is enacted until this day, the villagers recall.
More than 50 youngsters of Bagathur and Vellikuppampalayam villages took part in the play and brought to life the Hiranyan story. Dressed up in ancient king-styled costumes, the spellbound performance by the artists was appreciated by the villagers and other spectators.
The audience enjoyed the Baktha Prahalad play and apprised that they would continue their tradition of hosting these dramas in the years to come.