“Coronavai Jeyippom” is a series of performance videos featuring acclaimed traditional performing artists. The initiative raises awareness about COVID-19 precautions and protocols and spreads hope and positivity through the power of music and dance. The series is presented by Chennai UCCN, an initiative of the Greater Chennai Corporation; as a member of the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 2017, and is powered by Aanmajothi, the cultural wing of Saraswathi Vidyalaya.
The videos launched in the “Coronavai Jeyippom” series feature ‘Gaana’ Muthu (Popular playback singer; well known for documenting subcultures of North Madras on his youtube channel) and Isaivaani (Acclaimed Gaana singer and Winner of the BBC 100 Women’s Award), Chinnaponnu Kumar (Kannadasan Award-winning folk artist and playback singer of “Naaku Mukka” fame), Simran Sivakumar (Bal Shree Honour-winning Bharatanatyam artist and founder of choreography team Anartana) and Abhishek Kumar (stand up comedian well known for portraying his alter ego ‘Mrs. Janaki’ – stereotypical teacher, through an animoji character. Also featured in the Amazon Original – Comicstaan).
Speaking on the initiative, the Chennai UCCN committee says, “We strongly believe that arts can inspire society. In this challenging time, we created ‘Coronavai Jeyippom’ in order to offer the public necessary health-related reminders through song and dance. The videos are uplifting and informative at once, and were thoughtfully produced so that the core message comes through even as the audience partakes in the sheer enjoyment of our amazing traditional art forms.”
Check out the videos here:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTpL34226fE -Chinnaponnu Kumar
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiW9PgmU5QQ -Simran Sivakumar
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U7krZSwJ6g -Gana Muthu and Isaivani
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x41PU85L65o -Abhishek Kumar
