The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Preserve art forms, says Mammotty

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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Preserve art forms, says Mammotty

Staff Reporter

Governor R.L. Bhatia inaugurates seven-day Nishagandhi Festival

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Tourism Department should conduct a competition in traditional art and craft forms, on the lines of the schools arts festival, to enable youngsters to exhibit their talent and creativity, actor Mammotty has said.

He was speaking at the Nishagandhi auditorium in connection with the seven-day Nishagandhi Festival organised by the Department of Tourism on Sunday.

“Most of the foreign tourists who visit the State are keen on buying souvenirs that reflect the cultural traditions of the State. Our endeavour should be in preserving the existing art forms,” he said.

The actor also exhorted the officials of the department to hold the festival in other districts as well. “We have people who appreciate music and art forms in other districts as well,” Mr. Mammooty said.

Governor R.L. Bhatia, who inaugurated the festival, hoped that the event would ‘add a new feather to the crown of the State.’ “The State is renowned all over the world as a tourism destination. The evergreen forests, backwaters and blue lagoons have turned this State into a fairyland,” he said. “The tenor and tempo of Kathakali has world-wide acclaim,” Mr. Bhatia said.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who presided over the function, said the objective of the seven-day event was to encourage the traditional music and art forms of the country.

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Education Minister M.A. Baby, Law Minister M. Vijayakumar, Panniyan Raveendran, MP; Mayor C. Jayan Babu, V. Sivankutty, MLA; District Panchayat president Anavoor Nagappan, and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation chairman Cherian Philip.

Events

The festival will include dance forms such as Manipuri, Kathak, Odissi and Kuchupudi by celebrated artists from various States symbolising the rich diversity of the country. The festival will also showcase the traditional handicrafts made of bamboo, cane, clay and coconut products.

There will be a food festival featuring cuisines from various parts of the country.

There will also be cookery shows by renowned hands on all seven days. More details may be had on www.keralatourism.org

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