The ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) will facilitate Chavittunatakam —
India’s only traditional maritime theatre — turn a new chapter this week by
staging a Hindu-mythologystory for the first time in its five-century-old
history as a Christian art form from Kerala. The KMB’14
Chavittunatakam festival beginning a day after Christmas will have all its five
plays backed by lyrics in Malayalam instead of the customary Tamil mixed with
the state’s language.
To be held in
Gothuruthu near Paravur 22 km north of this city, the December 26-30 ‘Chuvati’
festival will stage ‘SabarimalaSree Dharma Shastavu’ on the opening evening,
portraying the life of Lord Ayyappa who the Puranas refer as the child of
pivotal Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. The fete being
organised in association with Gothuruthu Sports and Arts Club will be
inaugurated by veteran Mohiniyattam danseuse Kalamandalam Sathyabhama and Chhau
exponent Gopal Prasad Dubey at Kadalvathuruthu Holy Cross
ChinnathambiAnnavi Square at 7 pm.The function
will be addressed by former Kerala Culture Minister M A Baby, Hibi Eden MLA,
Kottappuram Bishop Rev Dr Joseph Karikkassery and Cochin Shipyard General
Manager M D Varghese.
‘Chuvati’ will
stage plays by cultural organisations in Ernakulam district, among which
‘SabarimalaSree Dharma Shastavu’ (directed by Joseph Salim) is being presented
by Kerala Chavittunataka Academy, Gothuruthu. The stories in the following days
are ‘Plorippus’ (Cochin ChavittunatakaKalari, Fort Kochi),
‘VisuddhaSebastionos’ (Kurumbathuruthu Yuvakerala Kalasamithi), ‘Jnanakumaran’
(Thruthipuram Chaithanya Theatres) and ‘Judith’
(Thuruthipuram Navarathna Kalasamskarika Vedi).
‘Keli’
Ramachandran, who is the curator of KMB’14 performing arts festival spanning
four months, said the aim of organising Chuvati was to unveil the antiquity and
charm of Chavittunatakam which has medieval moorings. “The effort is to also
expand the repertoire of this Latin Catholic folk art even while conserving its
heritage that has evolved along a strip of coastal Kerala—particularly in
Gothuruthu,” he noted, expressing gratitude that the biennale has extended
critical support to the momentous endeavour.
Riyas Komu, the director of programmes of KMB’14, said KMB
lends focus to explore Kerala’s indigenous cultural traditions by throwing
light on local myths and history. “We will continue with similar collaborations
in areas that are academic and performance-related. Gothuruthu is a special
experience as our biennale has already touched the heart of its people,” he
added.
Believed to have originated in the 16th
century after the arrival of Portuguese on the Malabar Coast, Chavittunatakam
which traces its pioneer to missionary ChinnathambiAnnavi has borrowed its
aesthetics and costumes from European ballet.
Comments
Post a Comment