A UNIQUE FESTIVAL TO
CELEBRATE RAMAYANA
The Ramayana has fascinated the human mind for centuries, that
too in many countries besides India, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam,
Nepal, and China. In India alone there are hundreds of different versions of
the epic tale of Rama, Sita, and Ravana.Some of those versions and
interpretations of the Ramayana are being presented in varied art forms here in
the Ramayanam Festival. It opened at Nalanda Auditorium on Wednesday with the
performance of Sita Theyyam, by Drisya Kalakendram, Kuttoth.The festival is
being organised by Pathabhedam Cultural Initiative, a Kozhikode-based
organisation.“We are trying to look at the Ramayana and Rama from a
contemporary point of view,” said Anil Thiruvoth, vice chairman of the
festival. “We are doing that through a wide variety of artistic expressions.”
The art forms include Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Nangiarkoothu,
Koodiyattam, Kerala Nadanam, and shadow puppetry. Also lined up are painting
and book exhibitions.There would also be a screening of G. Aravindan’s 1977 film Kanchana Sita , which
won him the National Award for best direction. “We would also be showing the
video of actor Murali’s performance of C.N. Sreekandan Nair’s play Lanka Lakshmi ,” said
Anil.“It would be a good opportunity for those who had missed that brilliant
solo act by Murali.”Mappila Ramayanam, Ramayana Ragamalika, Kabir Music and
traditional reading of the Ramayana too are featured. The festival would also
have talks on the Ramayana by personalities including writers Sara Joseph and
Kalapetta Narayanan and historian M.G.S. Narayanan.The festival concludes on
August 16.
Prof. John Kurakar
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