Bhai-bhai in suppleness too

Shaolin Kung Fu, the oldest institutionalised Chinese martial art, has found a welcome partner in Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s very own martial art form.

Six performers of Kalaripayattu performed with Shaolin exponents at a rare fusion of the two art forms in the Chinese capital on Friday. The occasion was ‘Kerala Evening,’ organised at the Indian Embassy in Beijing by Kerala Tourism which is making its foray into China during the Visit Kerala Year.

A shared cultural heritage was the theme as Shaolin exponents effortlessly mingled with Kalaripayattu performers in a scintillating display. Two Kathakali artistes from Kerala then went on to enthral an audience comprising major players of Chinese travel and tourism industry. “The fusion of Kalaripayattu and Shaolin showed that Kerala and China have a lot in common,” Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar, who is leading a high-level State delegation to China, said.

“Relations between China and Kerala are centuries old. Traders from China and Kerala exchanged spices and silk,” he said. China and Kerala shared several cultural traditions such as martial arts, medicinal systems, even kitchen utensils.

“With easy connectivity and proximity, Kerala is a natural destination for Chinese visitors,” said Chief Secretary, Jiji Thomson, who is part of the delegation. “Our backwaters have Chinese fishing nets. The Chinese frying pan is a must in a Kerala kitchen,” he said on the cultural similarities.

Chinese journalists, corporate executives, airline industry officials and tour operators were part of the audience. Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K. Kantha and Tourism Secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao were present. Buoyed by the response, Kerala Tourism will organise a repeat show of the two performances for the public at the Indian Embassy and at the venue of the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) on Saturday.

Kalaripayattu and backwaters is the theme of Kerala pavilion at BITE in which the State is participating for the first time. Nine private trade partners of Kerala Tourism are taking part. Kerala Tourism and its industry partners from the State will also participate in a road show in Shanghai on June 30. There has been an increase of 33.44 per cent of Chinese tourist inflow to Kerala in 2014 compared to the previous year.

Kerala Tourism organises a Kalaripayattu-Shaolin fusion in Beijing to underscore the

cultural connect.