Kolu Kondattam 2026: 700 windows into a tradition

Life is lived within the confines of the predictable. Under the sun, nothing happens that has not happened earlier. There is a persistent sense of repetitiveness to the calendar and its events. A glance at your daily schedule and a flip-through of the annual calendar provide enough evidence that the repetitiveness is real, not perceived. Does that mean life is monotonous? It can be, if one trudges through it mechanically following the dictates of the calendar and the day planner. But it certainly won’t be if one practises creative living, bringing a freshness to the repetitive events of life. There would not be shred of exaggeration if one called The Hindu’s Kolu Kondattam a master class in creativity, refreshingly different every year it hits the Kolu padi at homes in Chennai and surrounding districts. The Hindu’s Kolu Kondattam 2026 notched up well over 700 entries in the KTCC region (Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai and Chengalpattu districts). This massive participation is a reflection of the continuing relevance of the tradition.A run of this year’s Kolu presentations in KTCC would bring into view, never-before thematic settings, miniature temples, village scenes, cultural narratives and artistic installations. What stood out in these presentations is the painstaking attention to details.With so many impressive presentations, the jury knitted their brows more times that sweaters have been knitted for far for this winter in Chennai. One relied was that there could be 68 winners. As in the previous years, the entries were classified across five Downtown zones, and the evaluation happened zone-wise.After careful evaluation, the top three winners and 10 consolation winners were selected from each of the five zones, recognising participants who stood out for their creativity, presentation, thematic interpretation and overall execution. In all, 68 winners were recognised across the five zones.The celebrations culminated in the Kolu Kondattam 2026 prize distribution ceremony held on October 31 at the Vels University Auditorium on the institution’s Thiruvanmiyur campus. The ceremony brought together winners, participants, sponsors, families and well-wishers to celebrate the spirit of the festival.The programme began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the sponsors, marking the beginning of the celebration. This was followed by a stunning Bharatanatyam performance by the students of Saranyaa’s Nrithiya Vidyalaya, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the occasion.Arthi Ganesh, Pro Chancellor, Vels University, presided over the function and addressed the gathering. In her address, she emphasised the importance of preserving traditions and encouraged families to continue celebrating and passing them on to future generations. She urged the gathering to ensure that the younger generation remains connected to cultural traditions and becomes parts of a process that carries those traditions forward.The prize distribution was not merely a recognition of the winners, but a celebration of the collective participation and enthusiasm that made Kolu Kondattam 2026 special.For many families, preparing the Kolu is a collective experience. Children become involved in arranging dolls. And creating miniature scenes, parents and grandparents share stories and traditions. The entire family works together to bring an idea to life. It is this intergenerational participation that gives the festival its special charm.In an increasingly digital world, occasions such as Kolu bring families together, encourage younger generations to discover their cultural roots and create opportunities for communities to connect.With 700-plus entries, five zones and 68 winners, this year’s Kolu Kondattam has been a celebration not just of the best displays, but of every family that took the time to preserve and pass on a cherished tradition.Those who made it happenGopuram Products was the Title Sponsor, with Kaleesuwari, Prince Jewellery and ITC Mangaldeep as Powered- By partners, Poorvika was the In- Association With partner. The celebration was further supported by Sundari Silks, TT Asafoetida, NARPAVI, Ramalingam and RMKV as Associate Partners, along with Punjab National Bank as the Banking Partner and Café Coffee House as the Food Partner. A strong ensemble of Gift Partners — Medimix, Naga Mills, PS Tamarind, Difa, Vivekananda Sarees, RAS Cold Press Oil, Cotton House, Maestro Cookers and Hi Laptop — added to the warmth of the celebrations, while Repute supported the event as Water Partner and Giri as Divine Partner.Adyar Zone winners: First prize – Sudharshan Sundhya; Second Prize (two winners) - Anupama & Bharati and Divya Satyanarayanan; Third Prize – Dr. Nirmala MadhavanAnna Nagar Zone winners - First Prize - Kala Nagarajan; Second prize – Karthic .R; Third prize – Padmini MahadevanMylapore Zone winners: First Prize – Swetha Swaminathan; Second Prize – Usha Gopalan; Third Prize – Neha C . MouliTambaram Zone winners: First prize – Kala Kumar; Second prize – Mythili Nithyanan; Third prize – Sai Pooja LenkaT.Nagar Zone winners: First prize – S. Bhanumathy; Second Prize – Hemalatha Prakash; Third prize – Sridevi Arun