‘Rithusamkranthi' was a novel programme presented at Moozhikkulam Sala auditorium as part of the consecration of Moozhikkulam Sala Jaiva campus.
‘Rithusamkranthi' was a confluence of poetry, music, narration, art, theatre, dance, video art, and cinema. The programme described the features of each rithu (season), and highlighted the significance of its njattuvelas (the agricultural calendar that was followed in the past. Sowing, harvesting et. al. was done in accordance with the calendar).
The entire programme was divided into 27 segments and each was devoted to a njattuvela.
Also, each Malayalam month has its own symbol. For instance, the Malayalam month of Medam has a goat as its symbol.
Visual representation
The symbols of all the 12 months were presented on stage with the help of Koodiyattam mudras by Nepathya Vishnu Prasad, to the accompaniment of Nepathya Jinesh P. Chakkyar's beats on the mizhavu.
With the progression from one njattuvela to another, the change of season was also marked with apt verses from G. Kumarapilla's ‘Panchabhootha stavam,' Kalidasa's ‘Rithusamharam,' and Kodungallur Cheriya Kochunni Thampuran's ‘Malayamkollam,' which were followed by ragalapana. Raji Pisharasyar sketched on canvas the changing seasons.
Video clips on the future of the earth, Michael Jackson's ‘Earth Song,' and scenes from films of Satyajit Ray, Kurosawa, and Kim Ki Duk were screened.
The verses from ‘Rithusamharam,' ‘Panchabhoothastavam' and ‘Malayamkollam' were rendered well by Dilip. Vivek P. Moozhikkulam rendered the ragalapana and Nammalwar poetry.
Rithusamkranthi exhorted the audience to conserve the earth. The organisers presented the audience with seeds.
T.R. Premkumar directed and coordinated the programme on behalf of the Sala Jaiva Campus.
