This May, if you are exploring a cultural tour option here is one. Mark your dates for the annual Bhagavata Mela Fest in the heart of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.

The Fest is from May 18 to 27 and takes place in the village of Melattur, close to Thanjavur town.

Tamil Nadu will boil in the summer heat but since the shows are after dusk and run through the night, anybody who prefers to sleep tight at daytime and enjoys cultural shows in a rural ambience will love this tour.

This ancient temple theatra art form that is said to have survived four centuries and has links to ancient Sanskrit theatre comes alive in a few productions staged here.

A small band of artistes from this soil, now dispersed have kept this art alive and by pooling local resources and with outside funding stage the fest in the Perumal sannidhi space in the village centre.

To enhance the variety of the cultural fare, the hosts also have classical dance recitals.

But the Bhagavata Mela shows will present Prahlada Charitam, Sati Savitri, Harischandra ( in 2 parts), Rukmini Kalyanam and Valli Thirumanam. The last is now a Thamizh opera production.