The art form of Chavittunatakam made its return to the shores of Gothuruth for the third edition of the Chuvati festival here.
The five-day festival, which began the day after Christmas, features Chavittunatakam groups from Gothuruth, Fort Kochi, Thuruthipuram and other areas.
On Friday, the festival featured a performance that departed from the traditional plays by bringing to the stage a story from Hindu mythology.
As many as 40 artistes of the Kerala Chavittunataka Academy in Gothuruthu danced with vigour while portraying plots around the life of Lord Ayyappa as the child of Shiva and Vishnu. Directed by Joseph Salim, the three-hour show with energetic movements had the lyrics in Malayalam, according to a press release.
“There are various samithis that now practice Chavittunatakam. Gothuruth alone has three samithis and there are more in other places,” says Shaju Peter, who was part of the organising committee of the festival in previous years and is a performer himself.
The Chuvati festival is organised by the Gothuruth Sports and Arts Club and the Kochi Biennale Foundation, gives these groups a chance to bring their art form to viewers during the Christmas season.
“The art form has been revived in recent years with initiatives like the Chuvati festival and the inclusion of Chavittunatakam in school youth festivals,” says Mr. Peter. Chavittunatakam typically showcases stories from the Bible, with lyrics in Tamil mixed with Malayalam. It is performed on stages built using wooden planks. “The mark of a good Chavittunatakam performance is that the floorboards break under the force of the stomping,” says Mr. Peter.
Besides celebrating the art form, the festival is also an opportunity for the islanders to enjoy the festive season .
On Saturday, the festival featured ‘Plorippus’ by Cochin Chavittunataka Kalari. ‘Visuddha Sebastianos’ will be staged on Sunday, with ‘Jnanakumaran’ and ‘Judith’ playing the following nights.
The performances will begin at 7.30 p.m. at the grounds adjoining the Kadalvathuruth Holy Cross Church.
