3 days ago
Palm dreams and protest songs: Inside Tamil Nadu's toddy festival
It began with one Instagram reel. Harris Karishma, a 17-year-old from Villupuram district, scaled a palmyra tree with ease — and invited the world to join her at the Pana Kanavu Vizha, a day-long celebration of Tamil Nadu's state tree.
But this isn't just a festival. It's a protest. And at the heart of it is a call to decriminalise toddy — the mildly intoxicating drink tapped from palmyra trees — and protect a centuries-old community occupation.
This video takes you to Narasinganur village, where thousands gather under the palm canopy to dance, picnic, perform silambam, sell palm craft, and raise awareness. With tree-climbing contests, fire-lit performances, and selfie stations in the grove, this year's edition was bigger and bolder than ever before.
Reporting: Sanjana Ganesh
Video and Production: Shivaraj S
