The Department of Museums and Zoos in association with the Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Kutiyattam Kendra will hold fortnightly performances of Koodiyattam, Nangiarkoothu, and Chakyarkoothu for the public in an effort to revive the State’s art traditions.
The inaugural event was held at the Band Stand, Museum Compound, on Wednesday.
Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar, in his inaugural address, said the programme intended to showcase traditional art forms to the public, especially the younger generation.
ADVERTISEMENT
The institutions involved would get all support from the government, he said. “Every art form has its unique features but we have not comprehending these,” he said.
K. Muraleedharan, MLA, who was present at the function, said it was disappointing that the new generation perceived such art forms to be part of tourism campaigns.
“Foreigners come all the way to Kerala to study these performances and if you ask a local person and a foreigner to describe the art form, chances are that the foreigner would do better,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The organisers said the performace could be shifted to an indoor venue if rain threatened to play spoilsport like today.
Wednesday’s performance will be followed by a Nagiarkoothu and Chakyarkoothu routines on August 22, after which the first and third Wednesdays of September, October, and November would be the scheduled dates for more recitals at the venue.
Based on public response, the organisers would approach the State government seeking to turn this into a regular venue, Museum Director K. Udayavarman said.