Kerala - Kozhikode   

Five-day treat for art lovers

Kozhikode: After organising light and sound shows and art and cultural programmes on domestic and international stages, the Soorya Festival is foraying into second-tier cities of the State.

A five-day Soorya Festival will begin at the Tagore Centenary Hall here on Friday. Corporation Mayor M. Bhaskaran will inaugurate the first Soorya Festival.

With uncertainty looming large over the conduct of the Malabar Festival (the annual cultural event of the city) in the wake of the economic slowdown and the resultant reluctance of the sponsors, the arrival of the Soorya Festival is expected to revive the wilting spirits of the people.

The festival is being jointly organised by the Kozhikode Corporation, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the Bhima Jewellery. “This is part of expanding the festival into 10 more districts in the State,” Soorya Krishnamoorthy, founded of Soorya Stage and Film Society, said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

He said the organisers had decided to make the festival an annual event in the city.

The festival will start off with a Hindustani concert by playback singer Manjari on Friday. A Bharatanatyam performance by actor Lakshmi Gopalaswamy will be held on Saturday.

Fusion music led by Rajesh Vaidya will be the main event on December 28. A stage show ‘Tharangam,’ designed and directed by Soorya Krishnamoorthy, will be the next day’s attraction.

Artistes from across the country will be part of the performances on various days.

The festival will come to a close with a Carnatic concert led by music director Sarath on December 30.

Besides music and dance, the festival will also feature a drama festival and a painters’ meet. The drama festival, dedicated to playwright K.T. Mohammed, is slated to stage renowned plays such as ‘Ithu Bhoomiyanau,’ ‘Chakkees Chankaram,’ ‘Kumaravilapam’ and ‘Jilebi.’

Noted painters and artists will participate in the painters’ meet. Art lovers can also buy paintings of their favourite artists during the event.

Entry to the festival will be free, District Collector A. Jayathilak, who attended the press meet, said.

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