During the Tamil months of Chithirai and Vaikasi (April to June), temple festivals gather momentum across Tamil Nadu. The Kaniyan Koothu is an ancient folk performance tradition practised by members of the Kaniyan, a Scheduled Tribe community, in Tirunelveli district. Ganesha Moorthy, 45, from Vadakkankulam, describes his art form as an oral tradition passed down through generations. Anitha Pottamkulam, Director-Culture, Dakshina Chitra, says that while factors such as migration have always affected the continuity of traditional art, climate change has worsened the situation. (This story is part of the Asian College of Journalism’s Climate Change Media Hub Mentorship Programme.)

Source: The Hindu March 01, 2026 13:26 UTC