The Kerala Heritage Festival 2015 that ended on Tuesday was successful in its mission to create cultural consciousness among non-resident Malayalis. In addition to Malayalis, non-Malayalis from across Mumbai attended the four-day-long event that began on February 14 at Vashi's Kerala House.
The Kerala Heritage Festival 2015 that ended on Tuesday was successful in its mission to create cultural consciousness among non-resident Malayalis. In addition to Malayalis, non-Malayalis from across Mumbai attended the four-day-long event that began on February 14 at Vashi's Kerala House.
The first of its kind event was organised by the Kerala State Archives Department, Archaeology Department, State Folklore Academy, with the All Mumbai Malayali Association being the coordinating organisation in the city. The objective was to instill an awareness about the importance of heritage conservation among Keralites in Mumbai.
Dr G Premkumar, director of archaeology department, Kerala, said that the aim was to reach a new generation of Keralites and inculcate pride about the state's culture. "Last year, we conducted the festival in Delhi, and Mumbai seemed an apt location this year as it one of the prominent metros with a huge Malayali diaspora. In 2016, we may organise it in Kolkata or any other metro as per the cultural minister's decision," Dr Premkumar added.
Day one began with the minister for rural development, planning and culture KC Joseph officially inaugurating the festival. From drawing and quiz competitions for youngsters, there were cultural programmes that had 75 artists from the state taking the stage during the weekend.
Irula Nrityam or dance of Irula tribe, Malapulayattam, Naadan pattu and Theyyam dance were some of the performances staged. The highlight of the event was the exhibition of archaeological artifacts and archival records dating back to the 14th century.
Sunday ended with a grand presentation of the Agni Kandakarna Theyyam dance by artiste CP Pramod, who has been practising the art form for over 25 years. "The audience watched in awe as he danced in the heavy costume that had wooden sticks with ignited ends attached to his waist. The enrapturing performance went on for an hour and a half, something many of us had never witnessed before," said Neetu Patil, a resident of Vashi.
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