Mangayar Malar turns 30

CHENNAI: Women took time off their regular chores at home and workplace and had some fun at a readers’ meet organised by the popular monthly magazine Mangayar Malar on Sunday. The meet, Ullasa Unjal, was organised to commemorate the Tamil monthly’s 30th anniversary. The venue was packed with working women, housewives and college going girls. These women had an opportunity to showcase their skills as there were various competitions lined up, including singing, cookery, kolam contest, fashion show, debate and bridal makeup. It was not just the participants who were enthusisatic. Even the rest of the women in the audience were equally in high spirits, as they danced and clapped to encourage the competitors. “This is the first time that I have come out alone for a function. I am happy to be here as it has been a relaxiing period for people like me, who are at home all the time. We were told not even to get our little sons and girls below 12 years of age, as it was an event only for women,” said Uma, housewife and a regular reader of the magazine.Vanmathy, who has been a reader of Mangayar Malar for the past six years, was disappointed that she could not participate in the competitions as she attempted to enrol late, but enjoyed being part of the event nonetheless. “I missed the silver jubilee celebrations five years ago. That was also held in a grand manner. So, I made it a point to at least attend this meet and encourage the participants,” she said.“It is a year-long celebration and we had earlier organised such meets in Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem and Erode. The meet was aimed to make women come forward and showcase their skills and talents through such competitions,” said an official from the magazine.