October 16 every year will probably be the National Day for Kathakali from this year onwards. The appeal made by Kozhikode-based Thodayam Kathakali Yogam to the Central government to make the declaration as a tribute to poet Vallathol Narayana Menon, the founder of Kerala Kalamandalam, is expected to be finalised by October 15.
The Kathakali Yogam, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, however, does not want to wait till the declaration. ‘Attapanchamam’, a five-day celebration in honour of the poet, on the occasion of his 140th birth anniversary, will be held at Padmasree Kalyana Mandapam, Tali, from October 12 to 16.
“Literature and Kathakali have been two areas of interest for Vallathol. Hence, Attapanchamam will be an amalgamation of both,” Yogam president P.K. Krishnanunni Raja told reporters here on Wednesday.
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The Yogam expects to make the announcement of ‘Kathakali Day’ on the last day of the festival.
Vice Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam T.K. Narayanan and Vice Chancellor of Thunchathezhuthachan Malayalam University Anil Vallathol will jointly open the celebrations at 4 p.m. on October 12.
A seminar on ‘Vallathol and Nationalism’ will be opened by former Vice Chancellor of the Malayalam University K. Jayakumar at 10 a.m. on October 13.
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Another seminar on ‘Bhava in Vallathol’s poetry’ will be opened by poet Alankode Leelakrishnan on October 14.
A seminar on ‘Vallathol and Indian art forms’ will be held on October 15.
Ashwathi Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bai of the erstwhile Travancore royal family will be the guest of honour at the valedictory function to be held on October 16.
A variety of cultural programmes including Mohiniyattam and Kathakali performances ( Karnasapadham, Subhadraharanam, Kalyanasougandhikam and Thoranayudham ) will be held on all five days of the celebration.