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A cultural centre abuzz with activities
Chavittunatakam performance at the samskarikolsavam.
THE DRIZZLE failed to dampen the spirits of the crowd that gathered on the premises of the Mahakavi Pallathu Raman Memorial Centre at Fort Kochi. For, it was the first major festival at their new public space. They were out to celebrate it.
The four-day `Samskarikolsavam' or cultural festival organised by the centre got off with ``panchari melam'' led by Kalamandalam Kesavan and on the second day it was Fort Kochi's own saga of Charlemagne, the French Emperor and his crusaders. Rain or sweltering evening, West Kochiites were not to miss the encounter.
"The Kochi Corporation had spent Rs. 33 lakh to build this space and it was not used for about five years. Now that we have started organising programmes, we want to present cultural shows every week. We will keep up the tempo. If our concept works, we will have no VIPs for inaugurating the functions here, they will be invited as visitors," says C.R. Jayakumar, the coordinator of cultural events at the Centre.
On Monday evening, St. Francis Bhaktanadana Kalasamithy presented the ``chavittunatakam'', an art form that is fast becoming extinct due to lack of patronage. "The art is believed to have originated as a step to keep up the morale of native soldiers who got converted to Christianity. That is why they have incorporated elements of traditional theatre by drawing mudras from Kathakali, steps from martial arts like Kalaripayattu and backdrops from Tamil theatre, while the format was based on Western ballet," Nelson Fernandes, one of the senior members of the theatre fraternity, said.
Missing on Monday evening was the stage erected using wooden planks, which is a vital element in presenting ``chavittunatakam''. It sets the mood, as the art is almost entirely rooted in the rhythm created by stamping of the foot. "Originally, Karalman Charitam was presented over three days and on Monday, they abridged it to one-and-a-half hours," Mr. Fernandes said.
A scene from the festival.
On Tuesday, the crowd relived the magic of Tiptop Aziz's play, `Ramanante Maranam' (Death of Ramanan). "Aziz's plays have been presented continuously throughout the State for the last 25 years. Even when he was not presenting them, others were. There was no particular reason in selecting this satire, though," said M. Iqbal, Corporation councillor and critic, said.
While all the action went on at the proscenium outside, an exhibition of paintings, photographs and sculptures were going on inside the building. For Francis Chakkungal, who had been working on ivory for more than 25 years, wood becomes flexible like molten wax. That accounts for the perfection in realism he could achieve in his works.
At the other extreme, are abstract works on stone, wood and plaster of Paris as well as paintings by new generation artists like Father Thomas Thennad, P. Rakesan, K.N. Hariharan, A.K. Salim, C.N. Sanam, C. Kajol and Manu Gopinath.
Then there is the series of nature photographs by K.J. Jerly, who expresses his concern of the callous attitude of the new generation towards conservation efforts. His photographs centre on our water resources and how we are losing them.
The festival will end on Wednesday with dance forms presented by Kalamandalam Mohanathulasi. "In the long run, we want to convert the centre into a spot for not just art and cultural shows, but a one that could impart training in fine arts as well as lead the research on the heritage of Kochi, of course with an accent on West Kochi," said Mr. Iqbal.
Placed at the entrance of West Kochi, Mahakavi Pallathu Raman Cultural Centre is rightly poised to fulfil these dreams. It only needs support from the public. If the response to the ongoing festival is any indication, it is there in abundance.
By Anand Haridas
Photos: Vipinchandran
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Life
Bangalore
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