Kerala - Kochi   

Teaching a healthy lifestyle through Kathakali

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Dozens of foreign tourists and guests were treated to a show on ayurveda and a healthy lifestyle, using Kathakali mudras as the medium of communication, at the Kerala Kathakali Centre, Fort Kochi, on Monday.

In his inaugural address, Tourism Minister K.C. Venugopal said that the genuineness of ayurveda should be preserved. "A few unscrupulous people are maligning the name of ayurveda. The Government will soon come out with a legislation to ensure that only genuine players stay on in the industry," he said.

"Our mission is to spread the message about natural therapy through a traditional art form of Kerala. Ayurveda can do wonders where other forms of medicine have failed," said A.M. Anwar, chairman and managing director, Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital, Edapally, which organised the show. The show was organised as part of the hospital's Continuing Ayurveda Awareness Programme.

The Kathakali performance began with expositions on health — the harmony of the body, mind and soul— as per the concepts of ayurveda. There are daily and seasonal regimens for the purpose.

Prashanth, a Kathakali artiste, conveyed through `Karnasapatham,' (a meeting between Kunti and Karna), the fate of modern man who is alienated from nature. Such a man is afflicted with various ailments.

Daily regimen

P.R.L Gopi, another artiste, depicted through different mudras how one has to wake up before dawn and ponder whether one's sleep was sound or disturbed. The artiste also portrayed how the teeth are to be brushed with a mango twig and how herbal mouth fresheners help prevent foul odour in the mouth and tooth decay. This is followed by a gargle using herbal decoctions. The finesse with which the artistes performed various aspects of the daily regimen was noteworthy. The nostrils and eyes too need to be cleansed "to see the world in a bright and clear way." The person massages the head, feet etc. with oil before bathing. It is done to prevent premature ageing. The regimen is followed by mild exercises till one sweats. After some time, one has to bathe in lukewarm water to wash away the impurities of the body. Sandalwood paste is applied on the forehead. One is assured of a sound sleep and a healthy body.

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