The Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹2 crore for the “Kalai Sangamam” Pongal festival, a statewide cultural celebration organized by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram. The event, scheduled for January 18, 2026, will take place simultaneously across all 38 districts of the state, aiming to showcase traditional Tamil arts including folk dance, music, and literature.
At a press conference in Chennai, TNEINM President Vagai Chandrasekar and Member Secretary Vijaya Thayanban outlined the scope of the festivities. The district-level events will be presided over by respective collectors, with participation from ministers, MLAs, and local body representatives. Each district will feature performances highlighting its unique regional folk traditions.
Following the statewide launch, a series of specialized events will be held in Chennai. “Eyal Sangamam” (Literature Confluence) is slated for January 22 at the Muthamizh Peravai in Raja Annamalaipuram. This will be followed by “Isai and Naatiya Sangamam” (Music and Dance Confluence) on January 25 and 26 at the Kalaivanar Arangam. The organizers estimate that over 4,000 artists will participate in the celebrations.
The press meet also highlighted recent welfare initiatives for the artistic community. Under the orders of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the monthly financial assistance for indigent artists has been raised to ₹3,000. Additionally, a sum of ₹9 crore was allocated to provide aid to 2,500 elderly and indigent artists, with documents distributed by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in September 2025. The annual grant for the Manram has also been increased from ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year.