From Theyyam to Tholpavakoothu, Kerala's traditions take centre stage during Onam Week
Thiruvananthapuram Au, g 29
Kerala's traditional art forms are getting a wider audience during the ongoing Onam Tourism Week celebrations, with the state Tourism Department giving special focus to folk and indigenous art forms at venues across the state.
At the main venue in the state capital, Nishagandhi, a different traditional art form is being presented every day during the weeklong celebrations from August 24 to 30.
Tholpavakoothu, Padayani, Arjuna Nirtham, Poothanum Thirayum, Theyyam, Ottamthullal, Sarppappattu, Duffmutt, Mudiyettu and Oppana are among the art forms being showcased.
Kerala Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh said traditional art forms were an important part of Kerala's cultural tourism.
Each district has at least two or three indigenous art forms, carrying stories connected with the state's history, mythology and culture.
"These art forms bring together music, costumes, performance and traditions," he said, adding that the Tourism and Cultural departments were keen to take these art forms to a wider audience.
Padma Shri awardee and Tholpavakoothu exponent Ramachandra Pulavar welcomed the initiative, saying traditional artists needed larger platforms to reach new audiences.
Pulavar, who led the Maveli Charitham Tholpavakoothu performance at Nishagandhi, said practitioners should also adapt their performances to contemporary audiences and explore new themes.
He said language need not be a major barrier as digital translation tools could help explain traditional stories and performance techniques to people from different regions and countries.
Pulavar has experimented with different narratives, including stories of Mahabali, Jesus Christ and the origin of Kerala.
He also recalled filmmaker G Aravindan's visit to his home and how a puppet of Goddess Gangalekshmi inspired the logo of the International Film Festival of Kerala.
For 72-year-old Poothanu Thira practitioner K M Unni Krishnan, such platforms are important for preserving the art form and supporting the communities that practise it.
He began learning the art at the age of eight and now runs the Raman Smaraka Thira Poothana Sangam.
Padayani veteran B Suresh Kumar said a performance could provide an income to around 20 artists.
Government supported programmes such as the Onam festival, he said, give traditional artists an opportunity to sustain their art and livelihood.
He suggested organising a separate festival dedicated to Kerala's traditional art forms and bringing practitioners together to explore ways to develop and preserve them.
Arjuna Nirtham exponent Kurichi Nadeshan called for increased financial support to the Kerala Folklore Academy to protect the state's traditional arts.
The Onam Tourism Week celebrations will end on Sunday, bringing Kerala's classical, folk and ethnic traditions before a wider audience, including tourists.
— IANS
Leave a comment