Beginning May 15, Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple at Irinjalakuda will reverberate with the rhythms of dance and music for 10 days and nights during the temple’s annual festival. A plethora of artistes representing various art forms will converge at the place to showcase their skills.
One of the highlights will be Pancharimelam performances led by 16 artistes and spread over eight days. In addition, Keli, Thayambaka, Mizhavumelam, Kombupattu and Kuzhalpattu performances will be held during the festival.
Accomplished musicians belonging to different styles will be performing. Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna will be accompanied by maestro Karaikudi Mani on the first day of the festival, with V R Dileep Kumar, Sreeranjini Santhanagopalan, Vignesh Easwar, the Malladi brothers and husband-wife duo Kumaresh and Jayanthi performing in the successive days.
Twins Hemantha and Heramba will regale the audience with their artistry on the flute. Parvathy Baul and troupe will present Baul music that weaves in strands of mysticism. Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi of the Kirana Gharana will dwell on the nuances of Hindustani music. Up-and-coming artiste Mylai Karthikeyan will be showcasing his talent on the Nadaswaram. Listen to Pancharathnakeerthana alapanam and Sampradaya bhajan on the inaugural day.
In the dance segment, Sankar Kandaswamy from Malaysia will present Bharatanatyam. Other notable artistes to take centre stage are Bharatnatyam danseuse Malavika Sarukkai, Odissi exponent Sujata Mohapatra, Kathak dancer Vishal Krishna, Mohiniyattam practitioner Veena Warrier and Kuchipudi dancer Sreelakshmi Govardhanan.
Sakunthalam Koodiyattam (first act) directed by Venuji, and Seethapaharana Yakshaganam, directed by Keremane Shivarama Hegde, will be staged as part of the fete.
Kalamandalam Gopi will enact the travails of Rugmangadha and Sadanam Krishnankutty will breathe life into the role of Nala during respective performances. The seven nights of select Kathakali plays will culminate with Sree Rama Pattabhishekam Kathakali recital on the concluding day.
Traditional temple art forms such as Koothu, Paatakam, Koodiyattam, Sopana Sangeetham and so on will also be showcased.
