Naatya Kousthubh Nrithyotsav, the classical dance festival.

Naatya Kousthubh Nrithyotsav 2016, the all India classical dance festival, will be conducted on 29 & 30 April 2016 , 06.00 pm at Fine Arts Society Hall, Ernakulam, Kerala. It is the annual festival organized by Satyanjali Academy of Kuchippudi Dance, Ernakulam in association with Kerala Fine Arts Society.

Shyamala Surendran, chairperson of Dharani,Kochi and Mohiniyattam exponent Kalamandalam Kshemavathy will be the chief guests of the occasion.

The two day dance festival showcases classical dance forms – Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam & Kathak by well-known dancers from India. Flute player Murali Narayanan, a winner of Guinness Book world record, will be honored in the occasion.

Satyanjali Academy of Kuchippudi Dance, headed by Kuchipudi exponent Anupama Menon,  is an organization dedicated to the authentic style of Kuchipuidi dance. It has branched in different areas of Kerala.

The program schedule:
Time: 06.00 pm
Venue: Fine Arts Society Hall, Ernakulam

29 April:
Bharatanatyam by Paris Lakshmi
Kuchipudi by Architha Anish & Meenu Sudheesh
Bharatanatyam by Tanya,Delhi
Mohiniyattam by Padmashree Kalamandalam Kshemavathy


30 April:
Kuchipudi by Meenakshi Kesavan
Kuchipudi by Rekha Sathish & Deepa Sasidharan, Bangalore.
Bharatanatyam by Dr Ranjana Ganesh & Deksha, Mumbai
Kathak by Deepa Kartha
Kuchipudi by Madhavi Namboothiri, Chennai.

Jugalbandhi concert at Cochin

Society Dharani at Kochi headed by Shyamala Surendran, presents their inaugural program of 2016-2017 on 28th April 2016 (Thursday),06.30 pm at Kerala Fine Arts Hall, Fine Arts Avenue, Cochin – 682 016, Kerala (India).

A type of Jugalbandhi concert by Kalaimamani Kendriya Sangeet Natak Academi awardee Padmashree Dr Kadri Gopalnath (Saxophone) with Kalaimamani Padmashree Ms A Kanyakumari (Violin) will be presented on this day.

Dr Kadri Gopalnath, Padmashree awardee is an Indian saxophonist who is acknowledged as a true Carnatic music genius by the great musician Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. Gopalnath made certain modifications to the conventional alto saxophone to play Carnatic music. He has cut many albums and has recorded a number of cassettes and CDs. His production called 'East-West' is an audio-video presentation that, as the title suggests, is a fusion of Western and Indian music with compositions from Saint Tyagaraja, Beethoven and the likes.

Kalaimamani Padmashree Ms A Kanyakumari belongs to a family of musicians. Her extensive experience spanning more than 4 decades combined with a sharp acumen and fine sense of creativity has earned her a distinct place.She has evolved her own style of melodious playing and silken bowing which closely resembles vocal music rhapsodising audiences all over. She has many successful creative innovations to her credit. "Vadya Lahari" her brain child is a new combo of the violin, veena and Nadaswaram. "Tristhayi sangamam" is confluence of 3 violins playing in different octaves portraying a special dimension. "Carnatic Music Ensembles" of 25, 50, 75 and 100 violins as well as 100 instrument ensemble commemorating the millennium A music piece "100 ragamalika swarams" which exposes her dexterity in bringing out the raga swaroopam in just one avarthana each.

Applications Invited for Kalasagar Award

Kalasagar is an organisation based at Kavalappara in Palakkad Dt of Kerala founded by Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval, the maestro of percussion Chenda. The institution celebrates the birth anniversary of its founder every year on May 28. As part of this, Kalsagar used to honor artists from different fields of art & culture. Kalasagar invites nominations from art lovers and connoisseurs for this year’s award.

Kalasagar awards are given to artistes in the field of Kathakali Vesham, Music, Chenda, Maddalam and Chutty as well as Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattom, Kuchipudi, Ottanthullal, Chakyarkoothu, Koodiyattom, Thayambaka, and Panchavadyam — Thimila, Maddalam, Edakka, Thalam and Kombu. The awards are decided on the basis of nominations from the art lovers. The artist selected for the award should be between the age of 40-70 years and should be a permanent resident of Kerala.

Nominations with complete details of the artists should be sent to The Secretary, Kalasagar, Kavalappara, Shoranur, Palakkad, Kerala - 679523 on or before 28 April 2016.

Kodungallur Bharani Festival Celebrated

The two most important days of Kodungallur Bharani, the festival at Kodugallur Bhagavathy temple 08 and 09 of April 2016 witnessed colorful rituals and events.

The preparations for Kodungallur Bharani started a month before. The most spectacular event of the festival is Kavu theendal  in which hundreds of oracles, men and women in red costumes and holding swords, accompanied by devotees making rhythmic sound using bamboo stem and throwing turmeric powder, pepper etc., rush to the temple premise creating a terrifying scene. This was observed on 08th April. Processions by ladies carrying plates with oil lamp and flowers will arrive the temple on the final day morning. Every year thousands of devotees from all parts of Kerala reach the the temple on these days.



Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple (Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy temple) is one of the ancient temples in Kerala at Kodungallur, Thrissur Dist. The idol of Bhadrakali (Goddess) is about 6ft height.  Vasoorimala, considered as the Goddess for chickenpox and small pox is a subsidiary deity here. Pepper and turmeric powder are favorite offering for this deity
.

The temple is situated at Kodungallur, Thrissur Dist. Nearest railway station Irinjalakuda is about 20 km. For more information: Devaswom office Ph: +91-480-2803061

Festival at Kottakkal Viswabhambara Temple - Rituals,Arts & Cultural programs to be performed

The annual Festival of Kottakkal Viswabhambara Temple will be conducted from 03-09 April 2016. Various rituals, temple arts - Chakyarkoothu, Ottanthullal etc , classical art forms - Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Music concerts etc are performed here on these days.The temple belongs to Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, a specicialised centre for Ayurveda & traditional medicines, and people of all religion can enter the temple premise. It is situated at Kottakkal town in Malappuram Dt. of Kerala (India). Nearest railway station Tirur is approx. 16km away.

The festival details:
Venue:  Kottakkal Viswabhambara Temple, Kottakkal, Malappuram Dt.

Daily Rituals: Ezhunnellippu, Ashtapadi etc.

03 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am : Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am : Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

Noon / Afternoon

12.30 pm - 01.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

01.30 pm - 02.30 pm: Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

02.20 pm - 06.30 pm: Ezhunellippu, Panchavadyam, Melam, Fireworks.

06.30 pm - 06.45 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

06.45 pm - 10.00 pm: Nadaswara Kacheri (Music Concert on Nadaswara)

Presented by: Vadassery Brothers, T V Sethumadhavan, T V Sivadasan.

Special Thavil: Alappuzha S Vijayakumar, Mavelikkara B Krishnakumar.

10.00 pm - 01.00 am: Thayambaka

Presented by: Thriprangode Parameswara Marar, Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar.

01.00 am - 01.30 am: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu.
01.30 am - 04.00 am: Melam, Fireworks

04 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am : Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am : Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

Noon / Afternoon

01.00 pm - 02.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

02.30 pm - 04.00 pm: Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

04.00 pm - 06.00 pm: Ezhunellippu.

06.00 pm - 06.45 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

06.45 pm - 09.00 pm: Mohiniyattam

Presented by: Gopika Varma.

09.00 pm - 10.00 pm: Thayambaka

Presented by: Chirakkal Nithish

10.00 pm - 10.30 pm: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu, (Orchestration with traditional instruments) Ezhunellippu.

From 10.30 pm (overnight): Kathakali.

Stories: Kalyanasougandhikam, Dakshayagam.

Presented by: PSV Natyasangam Kottakkal along with Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboothiri, Sadanam Narayanan Namboothiri, Kalamandalam Krishnakumar, Dr Ettumanoor Kannan, Kalamandalam Sajan,Kalamandalam Subrahmanian, Kalamandalam Vinod, Kottakkal Unnikrishnan, Kalamandalam Balasundaran, Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambeesan, Kalamandalam Hariharan, Kottakkal Balakrishnan, Kalamandalam Sivaraman etc.

05 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am : Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am : Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

Noon / Afternoon

01.00 pm - 02.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

02.30 pm - 04.00 pm: Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

04.00 pm - 06.00 pm: Ezhunellippu.

06.00 pm - 07.00 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

07.00 pm - 08.00 pm: Thayambaka

Presented by: Panamanna Sasi

08.00 pm - 09.00 pm: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu, Ezhunellippu.

From 09.00 pm (overnight): Kathakali.

Stories: Nalacharitham Randam Divasam, RavanaVijayam, BaliVadam.

Presented by: PSV Natyasangam Kottakkal along with Padmashree Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier, Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan, Kottakal Vasudevan Kundalayar, Margi Vijayakumar, Kalamandalam Pradeep, Dr Sadanam Harikumar, Pathiyur Sankarankutty, Sadanam Sivadasan, Kalanilayam Rajeev, Kurur Vasudevan Namboothiri, Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan, Sadanam Ramakrishnan, Kalamandalam Sankarawarrier, Sadanam Bharatharajan, Kottakkal Balakrishnan, Kalamandalam Satheesan etc.

06 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am : Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am : Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

Noon / Afternoon

01.00 pm - 02.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

02.30 pm - 04.00 pm: Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

04.00 pm - 06.00 pm: Ezhunellippu.

06.00 pm - 06.45 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

06.45 pm - 10.00 pm: Pullankuzhan Kacheri (Concert on Flute)

Presented by: Sruthy Sagar (Flute), R Rahul (Violin), N C Bharadhwaj (Mridangam), S Krishnan (Ghatam).

10.00 pm - 11.00 pm: Thayambaka

Presented by: Kallenkulangara Achuthankutty Marar & group.

11.00pm-11.30 pm: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu, Ezhunellippu.

From 11.30 pm (overnight): Kathakali.

Stories: Santhanagopalam, BaliVijayam.
Presented by: PSV Natyasangam Kottakkal along with Mathoor Govindankutty, Kalamandalam Balasubrahmanian, Kalamandalam Kesavan Namboothiri, Kalamandalam Arun Warrier, Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan, Meledam Narayanan Namboothiri, Nedumbally Rammohan, Panjal Unnikrishnan, Kalamandalam Raman Namboothiri, Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair etc.

07 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am : Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am : Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

Noon / Afternoon

01.00 pm - 02.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

02.30 pm - 04.00 pm: Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

04.00 pm - 06.00 pm: Ezhunellippu.

06.00 pm - 06.45 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

06.45 pm - 10.00 pm: Sangeetha Kacheri (Classical Music Concert)

Presented by: Sankaran Namboothiri (Vocal), Trivandrum Sambath (Violin), Palakkad Harinarayanan (Mridangam), Vellattanjoor Sreejith (Ghatam).

10.00 pm - 11.00 pm: Thayambaka

Presented by: Sukapuram Dileep & group.

11.00pm-11.30 pm: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu, Ezhunellippu.

From 11.30 pm (overnight): Kathakali.

Stories: Banayudham, Subhadraharanam, Ravanothbhavam

Presented by: PSV Natyasangam Kottakkal along with Sadanam Balakrishnan, Sadanam Bhasi, Kalamandalam Krishnadas, Kalamandalam Venumohan, Kottakkal Ramesh, Kalamandalam Haridasan etc.

08 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am : Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am : Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

Noon / Afternoon

01.00 pm - 02.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

02.30 pm - 04.00 pm: Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

04.00 pm - 06.00 pm: Ezhunellippu.

06.00 pm - 06.45 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

06.45 pm - 10.00 pm: Sangeetha Kacheri (Music Concert)

Presented by: Sandeep Narayanan (Vocal), B U Ganesh Prasad (Violin), Thiruvaroor Bhakthavalsalam (Mridangam), Thrippunithura Radhakrishnan (Ghatam).

10.00 pm - 11.00 pm: Thayambaka

Presented by: Manjeri Haridas & group.

11.00pm-11.30 pm: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu, Ezhunellippu.

From 11.30 pm (overnight): Kathakali.

Stories: Nalacharitham Nalam Divasam, DuryodhanaVadham.

Presented by: PSV Natyasangam Kottakkal along with Padmabhooshan Madavoor Vasudevan Nair, Sadanam Krishnankutty, Kalamandalam Rajasekharan, Kalamandalam Chambakkara Vijayan, Vengeri Narayanan, Panayur Kuttan, Kalamandalam Balaraman, Kalamandalam Vijayakrishnnan, Kalamandalam Ramankutty, Kalamandalam Rajanarayanan etc.

09 Apr:

Morning

07.30 am - 10.00 am: Ezhunnellippu, Nadaswaram.

10.00 am - 11.00 am: Padakam.

Presented by: Panivadathilakan Padmashri P K Narayanan Nambiar.

Noon / Afternoon

01.00 pm - 02.30 pm: Ottanthullal

Presented by: Kuttamath Janardhanan.

02.30 pm - 04.00 pm: Chakyarkoothu

Presented by: Pothiyil Narayana Chakyar.

04.00 pm - 06.00 pm: Ezhunellippu.

06.00 pm - 06.45 pm: SandhyaVela

Night

06.45 pm - 10.00 pm: Sangeetha Kacheri (Music Concert)

Presented by: Sreeram Parthasarathy (Vocal), Trivandrum Sambath (Violin), Palakkad Mahesh kumar (Mridangam), Uduppi Sreekanth (Ghatam).

10.00 pm - 11.00 pm: Thayambaka

Presented by: Kallur Ramankutty Marar & group.

11.00pm-11.30 pm: Keli, Kombupattu, Kuzhalpattu, Ezhunellippu.

Mohiniyattam Recital by Lakshmi Sarojam at Edapally

Mohiniyattam recital by Lakshmi Sarojam will be held on 01 April 2016, 06.30 pm, at Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, Changampuzha Park, Edapally, Kochi.

The music is by Arun Palluruthy (Vocal), Shyam K Menon (Mridangam), Vivek Shenoy (Flute), Sundarrajan (Veena), Trippunithura Hari (Edakka) & Sandhya Rajan (Nattvangam).
Make up by Kalady Babu.

Lakshmi Sarojam, trained in Bharatanatyam, learned Mohiniyattam from Nrithyakshetra (Temple of Dance). She has done several performances in India.

Nrithyakshetra (Temple of Dance), a centre for traditional art and dance forms is run by Sandhya Rajan (Granddaughter of the maestros Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair & Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma) with the support of her mother Sreedevi Rajan (Daughter of Guru Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma (Mohiniyattam) & Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair (Kathakali)) and sister Smitha Rajan.

Kochi Biennale Foundation to partner in stage production of ​​O.V. Vijayan’s Khasak

The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF), in collaboration with the Kodungallur Film Society and the Bahadur Memorial Trust, will put on ​​‘Khasakkinte Ithihasam’, the acclaimed theatrical adaptation of literary giant O.V. Vijayan’s magnum opus.

​​The production, which will run from April 1-3 ​,​ 6:30 pm​ ​at the Government Boy’s High School ground in Kodungallur is part of a long-running community engagement initiative by the KBF to promote deeper discourse on and greater access to art and culture. The programme is backed by technology major HCL.

Taking its cues from the groundbreaking 1969 Malayalam novel (since reprinted over 50 times), the play – directed by Deepan Sivaraman and presented by KMK Smaraka Kalasamithi Thrikkaripur – depicts the lives and myths of the imagined land of Khasak, the setting of which much resembles the landscape of North Malabar. The director even incorporates Theyyam – a ritualistic dance tradition from the region.

The story of Ravi, a guilt-ridden college dropout who runs away to the hamlet of Khasak in the Palakkad countryside to atone for an illicit affair, is the central narrative of the novel, but Vijayan explores themes like the points of contact and conflict between a mythic past and a rationalising modernity through his protagonist’s experiences and encounters.

Beyond the existential angst of the protagonist, the play delves deeper into the magical, philosophical realm through its rich assortment of inhabitants – ‘Padma’, ‘Maimuna’, ‘Allapicha Mollaka’, ‘Kuppuvachan’, ‘Khaliyar’, ‘Appu-Killi’, ‘Mungamkozhi’, among the other most celebrated of Vijayan’s characters.

 “Theatre in Kerala had its roots in the rustic. Before elaborate stage productions and arts clubs, there were the farmlands and woodlands,” said noted artist and Secretary, KBF, Riyas Komu. “The pastoral has also been the muse for Kerala theatre – even before the town and city offered new avenues for thematic exploration.”
“The strength of Khasak keeps evolving and today’s ‘Khasak’ is a new legend. The mythos of Vijayan’s fictional land is recreated to reminisce of a shared yore, from where fantasy and fact have been distilled in such still living traditions as Theyyam,” he added.

Tickets for the production can be purchased at
​​www.kodungallurfilmsociety.org.

Kutiyattam Plays to be Staged - Directed by Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar

Two new story portions from the epic Ramayana are now adopted to Kutiyattam / Koodiyattam, the age old Sanskrit theatre tradition of Kerala, by Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar (Ammannur Gurukulam, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur Dt).The plays will be staged on 26 & 27 March 2016 at Ammannur Chachuchakyar Smaraka Gurukulam, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur Dt. (Kerala, India).

Rajaneesh Chakyar said that the acting manual is prepared from the third and fourth chapters of the Sanskrit drama 'Prasannaraghavam' written by Jayadevan who believed to be lived in 13th century.
The story lines of these chapters are Seetha Swayamvaram (Marriage of Sita) & Parasurama Vijayam (The Victory of Parasurama). The project is financed by Central Cultural Department.

The details:

26, 27 March 2016 (Saturday, Sunday)
Time: 06.30 pm; Venue: Madavanatyabhoomi, Ammannur Chachuchakyar Smaraka Gurukulam, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur Dt. (Kerala, India).
Directed by: Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar

Artists:
Story/ Scene:- Seetha Swayamvaram
Actors& Characters
Pothiyil Ranjith Chakyar (Viswamithran), Margi Sajeev narayana Chakyar (Janakan), Sivaprasad Madhavamathrugramam (Satanandan), Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar (Sreeraman), Ammannur Madhava Chakyar (Lakshmanan), Bhadra K M (Seetha).

Story/ Scene: Parasurama Vijayam
Actors& Characters:-
Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar (Parasuraman), Ammannur Madhava Chakyar (Sreeraman), Sivaprasad Madhavamathrugramam (Lakshmanan).


Music:
Mizhavu (Percussion) - Kalamandalam Hariharan, Kalamandalam Ravikumar, Kalamandalam Vineesh, Kalamandalam Vivek.
Idakka (Percussion) - Kalanilayam Kaladharan, Kalanilayam deepak
Chutti (Makeup) - Kalanilayam Haridas
Thalam (Cymbals)- Gayathri P, Archana Nandakumar, Keerthi Sagar, Bhadra P K M
Costumes / Make up - Kalanilayam Sankaranarayanan, Kalanilayam Haridas

Sree Swathithirunal Music & Dance Festival by Nadopasana at Irinjalakkuda.

Sree Swathithirunal Music & Dance Festival, the annual dance and music festival organised by Nadopasana will begin on 24 March 2016. The four day festival showcases music concerts and dance performance. The awards, Sree Guruvayurappan Gananjali puraskaram & Gold Guruvayurappan pendants will be presented to talented upcoming artists.

The festival schedule

24, 25, 26, 27 Mar 2016: Sree Swathithirunal Music & Dance Festival
Venue: ONV Nagar, NearKottilakkal Ganapathi temple of Sree Koodalmanikyam Devaswom, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur Dt., Kerala (India) .
Organised by: Nadopasana, Irinjalakkuda.

24 Mar (Thursday):
05.00 pm - Music Concert (Mridangam Arangettam)
Vocal : K P Karthik
Violin: Master Gokul V S Alangode
Mridangam (Arangettam, debut performance):Varun Menon K
Ghatam: Dipu Elamkulam
06.15 pm - Sangeetharadhana, Rendering of Swathi Compositions

25 Mar (Friday):
05.00 pm - Inaugural Ceremony
Sopana Sangeetham by Porur
Presentation of awards
07.00 pm - Swathi Naada Tharangam
Musical Ensembles of Maharaja Swathithirunal Compositions


26 Mar (Saturday):
05.30 pm - Lecture Demonstration based Maharaja Swathithirunal Krithis
06.30 pm - Music Concert

Vocal : S Naveen
Violin: C Rajendran
Mridangam: G Chandrasekhar Nair
Ghatam: Uduppi G Sreedhar


27 Mar (Sunday):
05.00 pm - Thiruvathirakkali
06.00 pm - Music Concert
Vocal : K P Harikrishnan
Violin: Master Gokul V S Alangode
Mridangam: Sajinlal, Edappal
Mugharshangh: Kalamandalam Harikrishnan
07.30 pm - Mohiniyattam by Jayaprabha Menon, New Delhi.


Photo: Jayaprabha Menon, Welcome Kerala

Bharath Fest - National Dance & Music Festival at Thiruvananthapuram

A three day Dance & Music Festival 'Bharath Fest - 2016' organised by Bharath Kalakendra at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India).  will be conducted on 23, 24 & 25 of March 2016. This 8th National festival of dance & music showcases performances of talented and reputed artists from various regions. Eminent personalities will be honoured with prestigious awards on this occasion.

The festival details,

23, 24 25 March 2016 : Bharath Fest - National Dance & Music Festival.
Venue: Theerthapada Mandapam, East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram.

23 Mar:
06.15 pm: Inaugural Function
06.45 pm: "Natana Vaibhavam" .Presented by - Margi Usha & Gayathri Subramanian
07.45 pm: Odissy . Presented by - Sriradha Paul, Kolkata.

24 Mar:
06.00 pm: Bharatanatyam . Presented by - Alex Raphel, Bangalore
07.00 pm: "Veena Madhuram". Veena recital by Kozhikode Soundar Rajan.


25 Mar:
05.45 pm: Odissy . Presented by - Prachi Hota, New Delhi.
06.45 pm: Closing Ceremony
07.30 pm: Bharatanatyam . Presented by - Parvathy Ram & Aiswarya Sreenivasan (Karur).

Tamil Drama Festival at Thrissur

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Thrissur will organize a festival of Tamil dramas on 19, 20 & 21 of March 2016. The festival will be inaugurated on 19^th March  at 05.30 pm. Three dramas presented by the drama troupes from TamilNadu will be presented on these days. The program will be conducted at 06.30 pm on these days at Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Theatre, Thrissur, Kerala (India) .

The dramas played :

19 Mar: Title: Soppana Vazhvil, Director: Y Gee Mahendra

 20 Mar: Title: Sri Thyagarajar, Presented by: United Visuals, Chennai; Director: T V Varadharajan

 21 Mar: Title: Avatharapurushar Sri Ramanuchar, Presented by: Natakakavalar, Kalaikkoottam;  Director: K R S Kumar.

Screening of Film at Edapally, Ernakulam

Film Screening at Edapally, Ernakulam on 17 March 2016 (Thursday) at Changampuzha Samskarika Kendram, Changampuzha Park, Edapally, Ernakulam, Kerala . The screening  will will begin at 06.00 pm.

Title: My Cousin Vinny (1992 ,119 minutes)
Language: English USA
Writer: Dale Launer

My Cousin Vinny

The film deals with two young New Yorkers traveling through rural Alabama who are put on trial for a murder they did not commit, and the comical attempts of a cousin, Vincent Gambini, a newly minted lawyer, to defend them.


Much of the humor comes from the contrasting personalities of the brash Italian-American New Yorkers, Vinny and his fiancée Mona Lisa, and the more reserved Southern townspeople.
Lawyers have praised the comedy's realistic depiction of courtroom procedure and trial strategy. Pesci, Gwynne and Tomei received critical praise for their performances, and Tomei won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Billy Gambini and Stan Rothenstein, students from New York, are driving through Alabama. At a convenience store they accidentally shoplift a can of tuna. After they leave, the store clerk is shot and killed, and Billy and Stan are arrested in connection with the murder. Due to circumstantial evidence and a confession to shoplifting misconstrued as one to the shooting, Billy is charged with murder, and Stan as an accessory. The pair call Billy's mother, who tells her son that there is an attorney in the family his cousin Vinny. Vincent LaGuardia Gambini travels there, accompanied by his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito. Although he is willing to take the case, Vinny is a personal injury lawyer from Brooklyn, New York, newly admitted to the bar on his sixth attempt, and with no trial experience.


Vinny manages to fool the trial judge, Chamberlain Haller, about being experienced enough for the case,in a game of cat-and-mouse that progresses throughout the film. His ignorance of basic court procedures and dress code, as well as his abrasive and disrespectful attitude cause the judge to hold him in repeatedly in contempt. Much to his clients' consternation, Vinny does not cross - examine any of the witnesses in the probable cause hearing. Except for the murder weapon, it appears that the district attorney, Jim Trotter III (Lane Smith), has an airtight case that will inevitably lead to a conviction at the trial. After Vinny's poor showing at the hearing, Stan fires him and uses the public defender, John Gibbons and nearly convinces Billy to do the same. Vinny asks for one more chance to prove himself.

Kathakali Festival at Thrissur

Kathakali Club Thrissur will conduct Kathakali Festival with the financial assistance of Cultural Ministry, Govt of India on 13 March 2016 from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm at ThekkaMadhom Lakshmi Kalyana Mandapam, Thrissur, Kerala (India). The event will have seminar, cholliyattam (acting practice) and Kathakali performances.

Eminent personalities like Kalamandalam Rammohan and Venu G participate in the seminar. The seminar titled  Aaharyathinte Prasakthiyum Pradhanyavum that begins at 10.00 am discuss the importance of costuming and makeup of different characters in Kathakali. Cholliyattam (acting practice) and the performance of Kathakali are then staged in the afternoon (from 2.00 pm). The three stories staged on this day are Kalyanasougandhikam, DuryodhanaVadham and PrahladaCharitham. This is a golden opportunity to see all the different types of costuming in Kathakali including the rare character Narasimham. The Kathakali is presented by the performers from the renowned kathakali school PSV Natyasangam, Kottakkal.

Kathakali Performance

The details of the Kathakali performance.
Stories: Kalyanasougandhikam, DuryodhanaVadham and PrahladaCharitham
Presented by: PSV Natysangam, Kottakkal

1. Story: Kalyanasougandhikam
Written by: Kottayathu Thamburan
Characters: Bheemasenan, Panchali, Hanuman
Actors: Kottakkal Kesavan Kundalayar (Bheemasenan), Kottakkal RajuMohan (Panchali), Kottakkal
Haridasan (Hanuman)

2. Story: DuryodhanaVadham
Written by: Vayaskkara Aryan Mooss
Characters: Sakuni, Duryodhanan, Dussasanan, Dharmaputhrar, Bheeman, Arjunan, Nakulan, Sahadevan, Panchali, Sreekrishnan, Dritharashtrar, Mumukshu, RaudraBheeman
Actors: Kottakkal Sudheer (Duryodhanan), Kottakkal Hareeswaran (Dussasanan), Kottakkal
Harikumar (Dharmaputhrar), Kottakkal Krishnadas (Bhemman), Kottakkal Harikrishnan (Arjunan), Kottakkal Sajeeshkumar (Nakulan), Kottakkal Sooryakrishna (Sahadevan), Kottakkal Balanarayanan (Sakuni), Kottakkal Pradeep (Panchali), Kottakkal C M Unnikrishnan (Sreekrishnan), Kottakkal Krishnadas (Dritharashtrar), Kottakkal Balanarayanan (Mumukshu), A Unnikrishnan (Raudrabheeman).

3. Story: PrahladaCharitham
Written by: Madavur Mudavana Kelu Aasan
Characters : Hiranyakasipu, Prahladan, Sukran, Balakanmar, Santhamarkanmar, Kolayalikal, Narasimham
Actors: Kottakkal Muralidharan (Hiranyakasipu), Kottakkal Sunilkumar (Sukran), Kottakkal Manoj (Prahladan),Kottakkal Harikrishnan, Kottakkal, Sooryakrishna, Kottakkal Sajeeshkumar (Balakanmar), Kottakkal Pradeep, Kottakkal Balanarayanan (Santhamarkanmar), Kottakkal Krishnadas, Kottakkal Harikrishnan (Kolayalikal), Kottakkal Devadas (Narasimham)

Music:-

Song (Vocal): Kottakkal Narayanan, Kottakkal Madhu, Kottakkal Santhoshkumar, Kottakkal Vineesh.
Chenda (Percussion): Kottakkal Prasadkumar, Kottakkal Vijayaraghavan, Kottakkal Maneesh Ramanathan
Maddalam (Percussion): Kottakkal Raveendran, Kottakkal Radhakrishnan, Kottakkal Mahesh
Chutti (Makeup): Kottakkal Satheesh, Kottakkal Anilkumar, Kottakkal Devadas
Backstage: Kottakkal Vasu, Kottakkal Ramakrishnan, Kottakkal Unnikrishnan, Kottakkal Ramachandran, Kottakkal Anoop.

Temple festival with Elephant Procession and Folk Arts

Temple Festival at Vengassery Bhagavathy Kshethram,Vengassery, Kerala (India) on 13 Mar 2016.  The festival - Tholpavakoothu & Nattuthalappoli - has elephant procession, folk forms like Poothan/Thira etc.  The highlights on 13th March are folk and ritual processions. There will be a holy procession in the morning (11am) to Vengassery Mana with one caparisoned elephant and ritual drumming. The return procession starts in the afternoon (1pm) with three caparisoned elephants, Nadaswaram, Panchavadyam etc. Panchavadyam and Melam are then continued after reaching the temple. Processions with folk forms like Poothan/ Thira and processions by various groups with one or two elephants also visits the temple in the evening (4pm-6.30pm). There is one more procession after midnight with Thalappoli, one/three elephants, Melam, Nadaswaram, Panchavadyam etc.which will continue for hours.


Location/Access: The temple is at Vengassery, near Thithala in Palakkad Dt;  On Edappal – Thrithala road, from Vengassery its walkable distance. 8km to Edappal & 6km to Thrithala

Sanskrit theatre 'Uthararamacharitham'

Nepathya, centre for excellence in Kutiyattam at Moozhikkulam, Aluva in Ernakulam Dt of Kerala (India) is conducting Kutiyattam play on 10,11 and 12 of March 2016. The story 'Uthararamacharitham' newly choreographed by Dr Indu G of Nepathaya will be presented on these days. Dr Indu will present 'Uthararamacharitham' , the scenes from the epic Ramayana, on these three days. The event organised by Nepathya with the financial assistance from Dept of Culture, Govt of India, New Delhi will begin at 06.30 pm on these days. Koothambalam, the traditional theatre, of Nepathya at Moozhikkulam will be the venue.

Kalamandalam Manikandan, Nepathya Jinesh, Kalamandalam Sivaprasad and Nepathya Aswin will be accompanying the actor on Mizhavu, the percussion and  Kalanilayam Rajan on Edakka (percussion). Thalam, the cymbals, supporting the play are by Kalamandalam Haritha and Gayathri Unnikrishnan.

Kutiyattam, also Koodiyattam, is the traditional Sanskrit theatre from Kerala. The age old theatre tradition that still survives is declared by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

For complete list of festivals and events in Kerala -  CLICK HERE or www.welcomekeralaonline.com

Music Program at Ernakulam

As part of Kochi Biennale Foundation’s ‘Arts and Medicine’ programme, noted playback singers Shyam Prasad and Praveena Shyam  will perform at the Government General Hospital, Ernakulam on Wednesday, 09 March 2016.

Venue:   Ernakulam Government General Hospital
Time: 10.30 am

Film Screening at Edappally

Kerala Museum in association with Kerala Sangeeth Natak Academy presents film screening  on every second Wednesday of the month.

On 9th March 2016, the film Don't Touch My Children will be played at  Rohini Hall, Kerala Museum at Edappally, Ernakulam Dt (Kerala,India). The film directed by Ron Termaat will start at 6 pm .The entrance is free.

Agony & Ecstasy of River Ganga - A Mohiniyattam Ballet

Ayswaria Warrier, a noted Mohiniyattam artist, basically from Kerala, but settled in Vadodara (Baroda, Gujarath), performed her own choreography ‘Matha Gange Pranamamyaham’ at the venues Kozhikode, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram for Rasavikalpam 2015 and Parampara , the classical dance festival series organized by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Thrissur and Soorya, Thiruvananthapuram in November 2015. 

‘Matha Gange Pranamamyaham’ is the story of River Ganga based on the mythology. It also highlights the issues related to the river.  The ballet presents the origin of River Ganga from the heaven,  that comes down to the planes, mingles with the humankind and giving them whatever she can,  with the interventions of human beings she slowly recedes.  Ayswaria said “Ganga is Mother to all human beings. She nurtures and nourishes all living beings, plants and creatures, and yet she suffers and neglected”.  “Another philosophical message is that each of us, individual human beings are also actually travelling in life in similar way, imbibing various good and bad things and we have to protect our integrity and conscious because finally we all have to merge with the supreme, the sublime”, she added.

In the one hour long choreography production, she has taken the lines from ‘Kalki Purana’, the music being composed by Sri N N Shivaprasad, a noted member from a Kathakali family who settled in Mumbai.  The supporting artists who accompanied the trip were N N Shivaprasad (Vocal), Gyaneswaran (percussions Mrudangam & Madhalam), Mukundan (Edakka) and Sreekumar Ram (flute).  

Some of her previous productions are Shakunthala, based on Mahakavi Kalidasa’s Abhigyanashakuntalam, Urmila by Kavalam Narayana Panicker, which depicts the story of  Lakshmana’s wife in Ramayan, Shakti, based on Adi Shankaracharya’s Soundaryalahiri etc.

Mrs. Ayswaria Warrier runs her own Classical dance institute Nrityodaya School of Classical Dance in Vadodara (Gujarat) through which she imparts training in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam.

Photo & Video: Welcome Kerala Magazine (www.welcomekeralaonline.com)

A Night of Jasmin by Japanese Indian Classical Dancers

Indo-Japan Friendship Performance of Indian Classical Dance organised by Japanese Consulate will be conducted in Chennai on 26 Feb 2016.The dance festival titled 'A Night of Jasmine' will showcase different Indian classical dance forms by Japanese Indian Classical Dancers.Five distinguished Japanese artists, who have been studying and performing in India over many years will each perform different classical Indian dance styles on this occassion. Dr.Padma Subrahmanyam will be the chief guest of the event.

The dancers are teaching their respective Indian dance forms in Japan and thus contributes to
the promotion of Indian culture in their home country. For the first time they are to perform together under the auspices of the Japanese Consulate in Chennai. The event celebrates the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

The details:

Event : A Night of Jasmine
Date: 26 Feb 2016
Time: 06.30 pm; Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Mylapore, Chennai - 4. (TamilNadu, India)

Dancers:

Bharatanatyam by Ms.Daya Tomiko（Guru C.P. Shanta and Guru V.P. Dhananjayan)

Odissi by Ms.Kimiko Yanagida（Guru Subash Chandra Swain )

Kuchipudi by Ms.Keiko Watanabe（Guru Mosalikantis,Guru Sathyapriya）

Kathak by Ms. Masako Sato（Padma Vibhushan Guru Pt. Birju Maharaj　Guru Pt. Jaikishan Maharaj)

Mohiniyattam by Ms. Keiko Okano(Guru Nirmala Panicker)

Organized by: Consulate-General of Japan at Chennai.

Kathakali Sandhya , An Evening of Kathakali

Kathakali Sandhya , an evening of Kathakali performance will be held at Bangalore on 28 Feb 2016.
The event at Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha, 8th Main Road, HAL IInd Stage, Bangalore - 560008, Karnataka will begin at 04.30 pm.

The Kathakali story  KeechakaVadham will be played . The program is organised by Uthishta, a voluntary action and service trust at Bangalore.

Participating Artists:

Actors (Character): Kalamandalam Gopi (Keechakan), Margi Vijayakumar (Sairandri), Kalamandalam Hari R Nair (Valalan), Kalamandalam Vipin ( Sudheshna).

Music: Pathiyoor Sankarankutty, Kalamandalam Vinod (Song), Kalamandalam Krishnadas (Chenda_Percussion), Kalanilayam Manoj (Maddalam_Percussion).
Chutti (Makeup & Costume): Eroor Manoj
Aniyara (Background): Murali, Manoj

For Entry Pass, Contact 9901510321, 9845405407

Bharatanatyam by Dancing Duo

Indian Classical Dance - Bharatanatyam by Renjith & Vijna  will be held on 20 Jan 2016 at Ernakulam. The program conducted at Kerala Fine Arts Hall, Fine Arts Avenue,  Ernakulam / Cochin in Kerala (India) is organised by Society Dharani at Kochi. The event will begin at  06.45 pm.

The dancers are accompanied by ,  K S Balakrishnan on Nattuvangam,  Murali Parthasarathy (Vocal),  K P Ramesh Babu (Mridangam) and  Suresh Namboothiri (Violin ).

The dancing duo Renjith & Vijna are an upcoming couple par excellence in the disciple of Bharatanatyam from Kalakshethra, Chennai. The apply the principles of yoga and kalaripayattu into their dance styles. Click Here to Read More on Dancing Duo Renjith & Vijna

Kutiyattam Workshop and Performance

Ekalochanam, the organisation to promote arts led by a group of art lovers, will organise workshop and performance on Kutiyattam / Koodiyattam . The event is conducted on 20, 21 Feb 2016 at Govt High School at Pattambi in Palakkad Dt., Kerala (India). This is the second phase of the complete the presentation of 'JadayuVadhankam' (story) Kutiyattam . Kalamandalam Jishnu Prathap and Sooraj Nambiar will  present the scenes on these days.


20 Feb:
03.00 pm - Workshop on Kutiyattam (sub: Kutiyattathinte Udalmozhi)
Led by: Sooraj Nambiar & Jishnu Prathap.
06.00 pm - Kutiyattam performance
Scenes: Mayaraman Nirvahanam
Presented by: Jishnu Prathap.

21 Feb:
06.00 pm: Kutiyattam performance
Scenes: Mayaraman Nirvahanam
Presented by: Sooraj Nambiar
Accompanied by,
Kalamandalam Ratheesh Bhas, Kalamandalam Jayaraj, Nepathya Jinesh (Mizhavu (Percussion)), Kalanilayam Rajan (Idakka (Percussion)), Kalamandalam Sangeetha, Kalamandalam Neethu G Raj (Thalam (Cymbals)),

Chutti (Makeup): Kalamandalam Ravikumar
Lights: Naripatta Raju

Kutiyattam / Koodiyattam is the traditional Sanskrit theatre of Kerala , still preserved and declared by UNESCO as   a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Gowri National Cultural Festival 2016 at Palakkad, Kerala

Fifth National Cultural Festival organised by Gowri, the cultural organisation based at Palakkad began on 12 Feb 2016. The five day festival at Rappadi Open Air Auditorium, Palakkad has Indian Classical and folk art form from various states on India. Renowned artists will showcase  their performances each day in the festival.

The schedule:
12-16 Feb 2016 at Rappadi Open Air Auditorium, Palakkad, Kerala (India)

12 Feb:
06.15 pm - Inauguration
07.00 pm - Rajasthani Folk Dance
08.00 pm - Dhol Cholam , drum dance from Manipur

13 Feb:
06.30 pm - Kuchipudi recital by Dhanoop P K
07.30 pm - Saxophone concert by Jananrdhan & team, Chennai
14 Feb:
06.30 pm - Kuchipudi duet by Vyjayanthi Kashi & Prateeksha Kashi
08.00 pm - Kathak recital by Sushmita Banerji & team, Kolkata
15 Feb:
06.30 pm - Hindustani Flute concert by Suchismita & Debopriya sisters
08.30 pm - Odissi Dance recital by Sujata Mohapatra

16 Feb:
06.15 pm - Closing Ceremony
06.30 pm - Jugalbandhi Music concert by
Maya Varma (Veena), Thirunellur Ajith (Violin), Malayankeezhu Prasad (Mridangam), Karunagapally Shyam (Tabla)
08.00 pm - Bharatanatyam duet recital by Revathi Ramachandran & Manasvini Ramacahndran

Pradakshina- Fusion of Mohiniyattam, Kuchippudi and Bharathanatyam

Pradakshina

The dance production titled ‘Pradakshina’, features the three poems of the Great Poets trio- Mahakavi Vallathole Narayana Menon, Mahakavi Kumaran Asan and Mahakavi Ulloor S Parameswarayyar.  The production is conceptualized by Reshma U Raj and choreographed jointly by Reshma and Aparna Muralikrishnan  The artists Aparna Muralikrishnan, Reshma U Raj and Dr. Jishnu Sajayakumar perform the lead roles in 'Pradakshina' presenting the poems titled ‘Bharatha Sthreekal Than Bhava Shuddi’, ‘Karuna’ and ‘Karnabhushanam’ respectively with their passionate dance forms Mohiniyattam, Kuchippudi and Bharathanatyam respectively. The supporting characters in all the poems are performed by the other two artists as a fusion of the three dance forms.

The Artists :

Aparna Muralikrishnan, who performs Mohiniyattam is the Director of Swasthik School of Dances, Thiruvananthapuram and Lecturer at Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, Thiruchirappalli.

Reshma U Raj is an IT Professional and performer of Kuchippudi and other classical dance forms since her childhood.  She has got the National level ‘Balasree’ award for creative performance in 2000 and National Nritya Shiromani award for Kichippudi in 2015. She is an empanelled artist at India World Cultural Forum (IWCF), NewDelhi and has got the CCRT scholarship in Mohiniyattam.
Dr Jishnu Sajayakumar is a Dental Surgeon by profession but active in the  classical dances since his school days. He is a graded artist iof Bharathanatyam n the channel Doordarshan and has got the CCRT scholarship in Bharathanatyam.

Music Directors: Peringanad S Rajan, Sreekumar Thiruvananthapuram, N V Manu Thiruvananthapuram

Symphony: Aparna Muralikrishnan (Nattuvangam), Peringanad S Rajan (Vocal), Sreekumar Thiruvananthapuram (Violin), N V Manu Thiruvananthapuram (Mrudangam), Soundar Rajan (Veena), Sreekumar Ram (Flute), Kalamandalam Anand (Chenda & Edakka).

Make up: Suma G

Nishagandhi Festival - Festival of Indian Dance & Music

“Being a sitar player, the music I play is predominantly Hindustani classical, but often I'll incorporate some Carnatic ragas and taals,” says Anoushka Shankar, the five-time Grammy nominee, in her press meeting before the concert at Nishagandhi festival going on at Thiruvananthapuram.

This year the openeing ceremony of the 7-day festival at Kanakakunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala (India) was with the music concert by Anoushka Shanker. She performed from her new album ‘Home’, composed as homage to her late father sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar that features two ragas, of which one, Raga Jogeshwari, is her father’s creation.

Carnatic - Hindustani Jugalbandhi by Sreeranjini Kodampally & Gayathri Asokan and Kuchipudi by Vyjayanthi Kasi & Pratheeksha Kasi were presented on the second day, 21 Jan. On the third day, Bharatanatyam by Smitha Madhav and concert by renowned Carnatic maestro T V Sankaranarayanan mesmerised the audience. Mohiniyattam by Parvathy Sreevallabhan & Sandra Pisharody and violin concert by Chennai-based sisters Lalitha and Nandini were on the fourth day.

The Nishagandhi festival, organised by Kerala Tourism, till January 27th  will have performances by several internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, like tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain and Hema Malini.

The festival of Indian dance dand Music, Nishagandhi, has also organised Kathakali festival and food festival on these days.
Nishagandhi Festival Schedule: Click Here
Kathakali Festival Schedule: Click Here

Kathakali festival at Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Tourism in association with Drisyavedi, Thiruvananthapuram is organising a 7- day Kathakali festival at Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram from 20-26 Jan 2016 as part of the Nishagandhi Dance & Music festival. The festival is conducted from  06.00  - 09.00 pm in the evenings of these days.

                                   

The schedule ,

20 Jan:
Story: Keechaka Vadham
21 Jan:
Story: Duryodhana Vadham
22 Jan:
Story: Karna Sapadham
23 Jan:
Story: Dakshayagam
24 Jan:
Story: Seetha Swayamvaram
25 Jan
Story: Narakasura Vadham
26 Jan
Story: Nalacharitham Onnam Divasam

Artist:
Chathannur Narayanana Pillai , Prof. Kalamandalam Balasubrahmanian, Padmashree Kalamandalam Gopi, Kalamandalam Akhil, Kottakkal Rajmohan, Margi Vijayakumar, Kottakkal Ravikumar, Margi Balasubrahmanian, Sadanam Krishnankutty, FACT Mohanan, Chirayankeezhu Murukan, Kalamandalam Akhil, Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier, Mathoor Govindankutty,  Kalamandalam Rajasekharan, Varanasi Madhu, Unchakkad Biju, Kalamandalam Biju, Kottakkal Narayanan, Pathiyur Sankarankutty, Kottakkal Prasad, Kottakkal Radhakrishnan, Kalanilayam Arjun, Panthalam Unnikrishnan, Kalamandalam Shanmukhan, Kalamandalam Akhil, Kalamandalam Anil, Kalamandalam Krishnakumar, RLV Somadas, Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan, Kalamandalam Raman Namboothiri, Kalamandalam Radhakrishnan, Kalamandalam Harikumar, Kalamandalam Jayaprakash, Kalanilayam Babu, Ayamkudi Unnikrishnan, Kalabharathi Ajikumar, Kalanilayam Subhash, Kalamandalam Venukuttan, Kalabharathy Ramanan, Artist Cherthala Viswam , Artist Karikkakam Thrivikraman, Artist Ravikumar, Natyasala Satheesan etc

The festival is part of Nishagandhi Festival (Click Here For Details), a festival of classical Dance & Music.

Ghazal by Ghulam Ali at Kozhikode

Ustad Ghulam Ali, the prominent ghazal singer from Pakistan will perform at Kozhikode, Kerala on 17 January 2016 (Sunday). The event titled 'Chandini Raat' will be held at Swapnanagiri in Kozhikode (Calicut). The entry is restricted by pass. Earlier he had performed at the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on 15th of Januray.

Mudra, National Dance Festival at Thiruvananthapuram

Mudra, The Essence of Dance- National Dance festival organised by Vylopilly Samskriti Bhavan will be conducted from 06-10 Jan 2016 at Multipupose Cultural Complex, Vylopilly Samskrithi Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India).  Besides dance performances, the festival provides classes and lecture demonstration on various subjects in dance. Eminent artists will participate in the festival. The dance forms Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri etc will be presented in the evenings of the festival days.

06 Jan:
10.00 am: Registration
11.00 am:
Class: Kuchipudi, An Invocation to Goddess Durga-DurgaSthuthi
02.00 pm:

Class: An Expressional no. from Swathi Thirunal Composition
By: T Reddy Lakshmi

06.00 pm: Inauguration
06.15 pm: Mohiniyattam by Jayaprabha Menon
07.30 pm: Kuchipudi by Pratheeksha Kasi
07 Jan:
08.00 am – 09.30 am & 3.00 pm-05.00 pm:
Class: Kuchipudi, An Invocation to Goddess Durga-DurgaSthuthi
By: T Reddy Lakshmi

09.00 am – 10.30 am: Lecture Demonstration

Sub: Time Space Interrelationship in Mohiniyattam
By: Jayaprabha Menon.
01.30 pm -02.30 pm: Lecture Demonstration.
Sub: Tradition, Transition & Transformation in Kuchipudi.
By: Vyjayanthi Kasi & Pratheeksha Kasi.
06.15 pm: Bharatanatym by Dr.Rajashree Warrier.
07.30 pm: Courtesan Dance by Dr Yasoda Thakore.
08 Jan:
08.00 am – 12.30 pm & 3.00 pm-05.00 pm:
Class: Kuchipudi, An Invocation to Goddess Durga-DurgaSthuthi
By: T Reddy Lakshmi

01.30 pm – 03.00 pm: Lecture Demonstration

Sub: Aesthetics of Manodharma in Bharatanatyam
By: Dr Rajashree Warrier.
By: Vyjayanthi Kasi & Pratheeksha Kasi.
06.15 pm: Mohiniyattam by Kalamandalam Ajitha.
07.30 pm: Odissi by Manjushree Panda.
09 Jan:
08.00 am – 12.00 pm
Class: Kuchipudi, An Invocation to Goddess Durga-DurgaSthuthi
By: T Reddy Lakshmi

01.30 pm – 03.00 pm: Lecture Demonstration

Sub: Navarasa & Nayikas in Odissi Dance
By: Manjushree Panda.
03.00 pm -05.00 pm: Lecture Demonstration.
Sub: Tandava & Lasya aspects of Manipuri Dance.
By: Sanjib Bhattacharya.
06.00 pm: Odissi by Dipty Mishra.
07.00 pm: Mohiniyattam by Uma Tapasyananda.
07.45 pm: Kuchipudi by T Reddi Lakshmi

10 Jan:
09.00 am – 10.30 am : Lecture Demonstration
Sub: The Spectrum of Viraham : Comparitive Charcterisation in Kuchipudi Dance.
By: Kala Ratna A B Bala Kondala Rao.

11.00am – 01.00 pm: Lecture Demonstration
Sub: Odissi Dance as depicted in Temples of Odisha
by: Dipty Mishra

06.00 pm: Valedictory Function
06.15 pm: Manipuri by Sanjib Bhattacharya.
07.30 pm: Kuchipudi by Kala Ratna A B Bala Kondala Rao & Aditya Bulli Brahmam.