Ottawa Tamil Fest – Kondattam

Welcome to the official home of Ottawa Tamil Fest – Kondattam! Hosted annually by the National Capital Region Tamil Association (NCRTA), this is a massive, free-entry summer festival that transforms Clarke Fields Park into a bustling, vibrant hub of Tamil heritage.

The word Kondattam (pronounced kohn-daht-tahm) translates to “celebration” or “festivity” in Tamil. While the festival deeply celebrates Tamil culture, it is explicitly designed for everyone across the National Capital Region. You do not need to speak Tamil or know the traditions beforehand to enjoy the energetic atmosphere, beautiful art, and delicious food!

Event Details

Time: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Location: Clarke Fields Park, Ottawa

Admission: FREE (Everyone is welcome!)

What to Do: The ultimate Festival Experience

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning guest, Kondattam offers an incredible, high-energy day of culture, food, music, and community!

1. Dive into Street Food & Refreshments

Tamil cuisine is celebrated globally for its rich spices, unique textures, and comforting street eats. Come hungry and enjoy:

Kothu Rotti: A must-try street food staple made of shredded flatbread (parotta), eggs, meat, and heavily spiced curry sauce. It is chopped together on a roaring hot flat-top grill using metal blades, creating a rhythmic, energetic sound you will hear before you even see the booth!

Biryani & Samosas: Fragrant, slow-cooked rice dishes layered with spices, alongside crispy, golden savory pastries.
Sweet Drinks & Treats: Cool down with a refreshing mango lassi, fresh coconut water, or warm up with a traditional hot cup of masala tea.

2. Take in Non-Stop Stage Performances

Our grand main stage features live music, classical dances, and cultural entertainment running all day long!

Classical & Modern Fusion Dance: Witness routines ranging from Bharatanatyam (an ancient, highly expressive classical Indian dance form) to high-octane modern Bollywood and cinematic Tamil “Kollywood” choreography.

The Runway Fashion Show: Local community members showcase stunning traditional attire, highlighting the beautiful fabrics, vibrant colors, and elegant drape of South Asian sarees.
The “Marana Mass” Grand Finale: Catch our crowd-favorite, high-energy signature dance show, proudly featuring the spectacular choreography of the Agarathi Dance Academy!

3. Explore the Vibrant Marketplace & Sponsors

Stroll through an open-air marketplace featuring over 20+ non-food vendors and local sponsors. It is the perfect place to shop local, support small businesses, and browse:

Stunning traditional sarees and clothing

Fancy, sparkling jewellery and elegant gifts
Toys and items for kids
Community resource displays and much more!

4. Sports, Games & Kids’ Activities

The park is packed with athletic energy and family-friendly activities all day long:

The Kondattam Volleyball Tournament: Pull up a lawn chair and watch highly competitive matches across men’s, women’s, and co-ed divisions.

Inclusive Sports Day: A dedicated afternoon session designed specifically for children with special needs to play, participate, and enjoy activities in a fully supportive, accessible environment.
Ottawa Fire Truck Visit: Kids will love the special hands-on experience of meeting local firefighters, exploring a real fire truck, and learning about fire safety up close!
Prizes & Giveaways: Keep an eye out for exciting gift prizes and surprise giveaways running throughout the day!

Quick Tips for Attendees

Seating: Bring lawn chairs or blankets. The festival takes place in an open park area, so having your own comfortable seating for the stage shows and sports is highly recommended.

Timing & Lines: Plan ahead! The food stalls are incredibly popular, and lines can get quite long during peak lunch and dinner hours.

Payments: Bring both cash and cards. While many vendors accept electronic payments, cash is often faster for small snack vendors, drinks, or quick shopping purchases.

Sun Protection: Pack sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water. The outdoor event runs all day in the beautiful, open green space of Clarke Fields Park.

Honoring Community Leadership

Every year at Kondattam, we are incredibly proud to celebrate outstanding leadership in our community by presenting our region’s most prestigious honor.

The Saba Ravishankar Memorial Award for Community Leadership

This award is presented in honour of NCRTA’s first president, Saba Ravishankar, who passed away in 2011, in recognition of his service to the Tamil community in the National Capital Region. He was a leader who loved his community, enjoyed community service and sports, excelled in education, and stood as a great role model for both the young and old.

The award recognizes an outstanding individual from the National Capital Region whose contributions have been deeply appreciated by the local Tamil Canadian community over a long period of time in education, culture, community services, business, or other fields.

Selection Criteria

The recipient is chosen for making an exceptional impact, which includes:

Making a difference in the lives of Tamils.

Making a significant difference in the lives of others.

Excelling in a chosen discipline or profession, making the entire community proud.

Being recognized for their achievements by other institutions or relevant bodies.

The nomination window closes annually in early July. To ensure absolute independence and integrity, the recipient is selected by an independent, external selection committee consisting of five community members spanning different age groups, life experiences, and genders.

View Previous Award Winners & Nomination Guidelines (Update link as needed)

Get Involved!

Whether you want to attend with your family, register as a vendor, become a corporate sponsor, or volunteer to help make this beautiful event happen, we want to hear from you!

For vendor inquiries, sponsorship details, or general questions, please contact us at info@ncrta.ca.

Tamil Fest