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“Jaffna Musical Festival Promotes Reconciliation through Music, Arts and Drama,” said the US Embassy press release marking USAID’s partnership of the collaborative effort in bringing out this medley musical scent of folklore potpourri, in the peninsula’s persevering town.

Pictures from the festival:
By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai:

Songs of the Soil from Batticaloa

Viewers at the festival amidst extremely balmy weather

Showcasing local folk music & dance under one roof

Hut in village camp at the Jaffna Music Festival

Sinhala traditional folk set up in the city of Jaffna during the music festival.

“I feel sad to leave Jaffna.People feel sad to leave place&people,because of the true bond of love” says Nishantha Rampitiya from Deldeniya.

Young coconut leave creation by Sinhala folk artistes

Nature and folk beautifully woven together at Jaffna Music Festival

Vivekananthar on the main welcome arch at Jaffna Music Festival

Traditional welcome at the Soil of the Songs hut

Brass anklets worn by a performer

Birds nests during the music festival ~ Natural decorations at Mulliyawalai hut

It’s a grand come especially for the folk artistes in the North after many decades.

Viewers at Jaffna Music Festival 2011 on a balmy day

Kovalan Kooththu from Mulliyawalai

It is an amazing experience living by the Pannai Lagoon while Sun is always scorching

Kaavadi from Mulliyawalai.

Morris Minor with EL series parked in Jaffna

Puppet show in Jaffna

Puppet show from Ambalangoda

Kids enjoying the unique festival

Kaffirs performing at Jaffna Music Festival 2011

Kappal Paattu from Naagar Kovil

Nepal performers at Jaffna Music Festival 2011

Musicians from Raajasthan

Magudi Aattam from Mulliyawalai

Ramupillai Murugupillai from Mulliyawalai (79).He began to dance Karagam when he was 16 year old.

“Great opportunity for us to showcase our unique tradition after 30 years”says Chandrasegaram Sivasithamparam,folk artiste from Mulliyawalai.

I am very grateful to the troupes from Mulliyawalai in Mullaithivu district for performing their unique folk music&dance for me again.

Thank you Mulliyawalai ~ They are the most simplest people, I ever met. Their courtesy, hospitality & simplicity will touch everybody’s heart.

Many failed to capture him in action. My photos of him are being circulated & used widely

Yet another traditional Hindu welcome at a hut

Colourful roof cover for the folk music festival

Stick dance from Akkaraipattu

Mask dance at Jaffna Music Festival

An array of authentic indigenous folk performances are taking place at the Jaffna Music Festival.

Raavanesan is being performed at Jaffna Music Festival

Performance by Kaffirs

Kaaman Kooththu is being performed

South Africans on stage in Jaffna

Murugan Thirunadanam from Puloppalai

Festival features special emphasis on the traditional folk music and dance forms

Mahathma Gandhi on the main welcome arch at Jaffna Music Festival

Ruined statue of Ponnambalam Ramanathan in Jaffna

Thanthai Chelvanayagam’s memorial tower in Jaffna

Lovely Sunset in Jaffna

Night calls in Jaffna

Jaffna right now at night

Music lovers get on their toes at night in Jaffna

Traditional folk artistes enjoyed&exchanged knowledge

Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com On YFrog
~ twitter.com/dushiyanthini