Inspired by the December music festival, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, has set out to revive the fading art forms of Kerala, through an annual carnival.
P A Sureshkumar, who conducts the ‘Malayali Margazhi Mahotsavam’, for this purpose, speaks to News Today.
“Although the Margazhi festival is a well-organised event, only established artistes get opportunities to perform. The audience too comprise only those rasikas who can afford the tickets,” he begins. This is where he wanted to make a change.
“The concept behind the Malayali Mahotsavam is to give opportunities for all kinds of performers. We are open to everyone without any entry fee. It is, in all essence, a people’s festival,” he explains.
It may be noted that this year’s event ‘Sargam 2019,’ saw 4,000 people attend the three-day show. Artistes from the fields of classical and instrumental music, dance, painting, folk
art, and theatre, took part.
“Forms of tribal and ritualistic art which are slowly disappearing, were showcased,” he notes, adding, “This stage is not for the already popular methods. The events are carefully
selected and researched. We want to educate youngsters about forms which are fading from various villages.”
Stating an example, he says, “There are many Gotra art forms among Adivasis, a traditional folk dance and a ritual art called Padayani, and a form of worship at North Malabar- Theyyam. How many of us know the rich history behind Chavittu Nadakam?”
As for the performers, musician Palakkad Sreeram had performed for free at the said event, even as dancer Methil Devika took the stage, days after her concert at Music Academy, it is learnt. The event is also open to hosting Tamil art forms. “We had a ‘kolam contest’ which had 60 teams vying against each other,” he states.