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(Redifing Tradition)
Keli Kathakali Festival 2019
(Redifing Tradition)
8, 9, 10, Feb 2019
Presented by
In Association with
Dear Art Lovers,
Keli is now entering the 27th year of its journey exploring the rich and diverse forms of India’s artistic traditions. The forthcoming 3 day long Keli festival scheduled on 8th,9th and 10th February 2019 will focus on Kathakali. Kathakali, one of India’s major dance drama traditions, is a synthesis of many art traditions carefully developed within the frame work of the aesthetics of India’s art heritage. Kerala is known for its varied dance and drama traditions based on the classical, ritual and folk forms. Kathakali can be described as a unique example of a fully integrated form, liberally absorbing, over many hundreds of years, various elements from other traditions and forms. It dates back to 16th century. Kathakali is a highly stylized form with forceful abstractions of body movements, gestures and mime. The make –up and costumes are colourful and elaborate. The martial traditions of Kerala form an integral part of training program and this together with other finer aspects of teaching produces a discipline and technical command that is astounding.
KELI is a Mumbai based registered charitable organization striving to preserve, develop and propagate the classical cultural heritage of India, many of which are now on the verge of extinction. Keli has been active in this field from the last 26 years and during this period, has successfully handled a number of important projects in furtherance of its objectives. The annual Keli festivals, structured thematically every year, are well known to artists and art lovers of the city and has earned the organization a significant place in the cultural life of Mumbai. Keli is the proud presenter of more than 35 festivals focused on the various arts traditions of India with the participation of over 1500 artists engaging more than a lakh of audience.
The theme of this year’s project is exploring the rare and exclusive school of aesthetics in Kathakali represented by Late Guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair. Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair was a visionary in Kathakali who strongly believed that a tradition is never static but undergoing the process of contemporising the form and content. Through this festival, Keli is exposing his school of thought to the art world. We have great pleasure in inviting all art lovers to participate in this unique Kathakali Festival.
K. Subhaschandran
Artistic Director & Project Co- ordinator
Ramachandran. K
Festival Director
Cell: +919820835737
ramk.keli@gmail.com
KELI. 201, Baba Niwas, Plot No. 74,
Sector 19, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400706
www: keliindia.org
Guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair (1916–2007)
This festival will be dedicated towards the memory of Guru Keezpadam Kumaran Nair, an eminent Kathakali exponent, equally known for his capacities as a tutor, theoretician and author of a few authentic texts on the classical dance-drama traditions from Kerala . Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair was a visionary in Kathakali with innovative insight and strict adherence to the base of the art form. He strongly believed that a tradition is never static but undergoing the process of contemporising the form and content. So a traditional art form should be capable of engaging the most contemporary audience and address their aesthetics. Through this festival Keli is trying to explore his school of thought.
Day 1
Friday, 8th February 2019,
at Y.B. Chavan Centre, Opp. Mantralaya, Mumbai at 6.45 pm
Inagural Programe
Welcome Speech:
Dedication: Dedicating the festival towards the memory of Guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair.
Felicitation:
Presenting Silver Conch to Shri Sadanam Bhasi
Presenting the Jnana Mudra award to Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan
Presenting Golden Conch to Guru Sadanam Krishnankutty
Guest of Honour: B.Venugopal (Chairman and MD LIC), Shri L. Ajithkumar (ZM, LIC), Suresh Nair (ED, BPCL), Pt. Arun Kashalkar (Sr. Hindustani Vocalist), Shrimati Sarita Joshi (Sr. TV & Theatre Actress) & Surendrababu
Kathakali
Presented by Guru Sadanam Krishnankutty and group
Story: Kiratham
Libretto : Irattakulangara Rama Warrier
Synopsis
This plot is from the epic Mahabharatha. During the exile of Pandavas , the mighty Arjuna goes for a penance to get divine arrow from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva decides to reduce his arrogance and goes along with Parvathi in disguise of a tribal couple and starts hunting in the same forest where Arjuna is doing the penance. In doing so, Arjuna's penance gets disturbed and he fights with Lord Shiva who is in disguise. Shiva defeats Arjuna. Arjuna realises that the couple are Shiva and Parvathi. Shiva and Parvathi bless Arjuna and present the divine arrow Pasupatham.
Day 2
Saturday, 9th February, 2019,
at DAE Convention Center, Anushakthi Nagar, at 7.30 pm
Kathakali
Presented by Guru Sadanam Krishnankutty and group
Story: Narakasura Vadham
Libretto: Dharmaraja
In Association with DAE Cultural Center
Synopsis
The era this story is set in is Dwapara Yuga, the age of Lord Krishna. Narakasura is a mighty Asura who received some boons and the powerful arrow ‘Narayana Asthram’ from Lord Vishnu. The situation in the story begins with Narakasura sending Nakrathundi,his lady assistant to kidnap beautiful women from heaven. Then he enjoys time with his wife in his palace. They watch the beauty of the garden, the peacock dances, the swans playing…Suddenly he hears the scream of a woman. He curiously listens to that. He realizes that it is his assistant( Nakrathundi). He sees the shocking scene of his assistant disfigured with her breast and nose cut. He asks who did this cruel deed. She says that it was done by Jayanthan, the son of Indra, the lord of the heaven. He gets furious and is determined to avenge Nakrathundi. He decides to attack heaven. He arranges various different kind of weapons and prepares for the war. He attacks heaven, fights with Indran and defeats him. Then he attacks Airavatham, the white coloured elephant of Indran and defeats it. He catches Adithi the mother of Indra and takes away her valuable earrings and other precious items from heaven. Finally, he returns to earth.
Day 3
Sunday, 10th Feb 2019,
at Terna auditorium, Nerul west, at 7.00 pm
Kathakali
Presented by: Guru Sadanam Krishnankutty, Margi Vijayakumar and group
Story: Lavanasura Vadham
Libretto: Palakkattusseri Amrutha Sasthrikal
In association with 
Synopsis
The story of the play is set during Sita’s life in the ashramam of Valmiki after being abandoned by Srirama. Srirama conducts the Rajasooyam. The horse sent by Srirama as part of the Rajasooyam to conquer the other states of Bharatha Varsham reaches the ashramam of Valmiki. Lava and Kusha, sons of Srirama tie up the horse. Hanuman who was the messenger of Srirama, comes to release the horse without knowing who tied horse.. Lava and Kusha fight with Hanuman ,tie him up and take him to their mother Sita. Sita becomes deeply sad and upset. She tells her sons to release him and apologise.Hanumans enjoys the chivalry of the children very well. He chats with Sita for a while touches her feet and returns.
Participating Artists:
Actors: Guru Sadanam Krishnankutty, Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan, Guru Margi Vijayakumar, Sadanam Bhasi, Sadanam Sadanandan, Kala.Praveen K.P, Sadanam Vipin Chandran
Vocal: E.M.Ramamohanan, N.N Abhijith Varma
Chenda: Guru Kalamandalamm Unnikrishnan, Kala. Ravisankar T.S
Maddalam: Kala. Rajnarayanan, Kala. K.V.Aneesh
Chutty(Make Up): Satheesan M.S, Manoj OS
Back stage: Sasi P.K., Sasidharan K.A., Chandran Unnithan P.S
Costume: Sree Bhavaneeswari Kathakali Yogam, Thripunithara
Live Sub Title: Dileepkumar
Photo Courtsey: Arun Menon – 9895655666 (Vellathadi), Malootty Karalmanna-9961733452 (Kathi)
Our Sincere Thanks to:
Y.B. Chavan Centre, DAE Cultural Centre, B. Venugopal, Ajithkumar L, N. Mahesh, Ajit Menon, V.Shashikumar, Indu Sagar, Surendrababu, Priya Varghese, Sasi Nair, Kaippilly Vishnu Nambothirippad, Vijayakumar Nair, Sanjna Kapoor, Sameera Iyengar, Rajeev Menon, Ajay Peruvanam, Kajal Gadhia, Sreekumar Kaimal, Vijay Desai, Santhosh Nair, Vikram, Hariharan T.N., Jayaprakash PD, Nisha Gilbert, N.Sreejith, Jerry Sebastian, Sibi Sathtyan, Dr. C.S. Venkiteshwaran, M.R. Rajan, Dr. Jyothishbabau, Daniel Babu, Devina Dutt, Pepe Gomes, Mathrubhumi, Mathrubhumi News, Malayalamanorama, Malayalamanorama News, Asianet.
Supported by:
Keli is now entering the 27th year of its journey exploring the rich and diverse forms of India’s artistic traditions. The forthcoming 3 day long Keli festival scheduled on 8th,9th and 10th February 2019 will focus on Kathakali. Kathakali, one of India’s major dance drama traditions, is a synthesis of many art traditions carefully developed within the frame work of the aesthetics of India’s art heritage. Kerala is known for its varied dance and drama traditions based on the classical, ritual and folk forms. Kathakali can be described as a unique example of a fully integrated form, liberally absorbing, over many hundreds of years, various elements from other traditions and forms. It dates back to 16th century. Kathakali is a highly stylized form with forceful abstractions of body movements, gestures and mime. The make –up and costumes are colourful and elaborate. The martial traditions of Kerala form an integral part of training program and this together with other finer aspects of teaching produces a discipline and technical command that is astounding.
KELI is a Mumbai based registered charitable organization striving to preserve, develop and propagate the classical cultural heritage of India, many of which are now on the verge of extinction. Keli has been active in this field from the last 26 years and during this period, has successfully handled a number of important projects in furtherance of its objectives. The annual Keli festivals, structured thematically every year, are well known to artists and art lovers of the city and has earned the organization a significant place in the cultural life of Mumbai. Keli is the proud presenter of more than 35 festivals focused on the various arts traditions of India with the participation of over 1500 artists engaging more than a lakh of audience.
The theme of this year’s project is exploring the rare and exclusive school of aesthetics in Kathakali represented by Late Guru Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair. Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair was a visionary in Kathakali who strongly believed that a tradition is never static but undergoing the process of contemporising the form and content. Through this festival, Keli is exposing his school of thought to the art world. We have great pleasure in inviting all art lovers to participate in this unique Kathakali Festival.
K. Subhaschandran
Artistic Director & Project Co- ordinator
Ramachandran. K
Festival Director
Cell: +919820835737
ramk.keli@gmail.com
KELI. 201, Baba Niwas, Plot No. 74,
Sector 19, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400706
www: keliindia.org
at Y.B. Chavan Centre, Opp. Mantralaya, Mumbai at 6.45 pm
Welcome Speech:
Felicitation:
Presenting Silver Conch to Shri Sadanam Bhasi
Presenting the Jnana Mudra award to Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan
Presenting Golden Conch to Guru Sadanam Krishnankutty
Guest of Honour: B.Venugopal (Chairman and MD LIC), Shri L. Ajithkumar (ZM, LIC), Suresh Nair (ED, BPCL), Pt. Arun Kashalkar (Sr. Hindustani Vocalist), Shrimati Sarita Joshi (Sr. TV & Theatre Actress) & Surendrababu
This plot is from the epic Mahabharatha. During the exile of Pandavas , the mighty Arjuna goes for a penance to get divine arrow from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva decides to reduce his arrogance and goes along with Parvathi in disguise of a tribal couple and starts hunting in the same forest where Arjuna is doing the penance. In doing so, Arjuna's penance gets disturbed and he fights with Lord Shiva who is in disguise. Shiva defeats Arjuna. Arjuna realises that the couple are Shiva and Parvathi. Shiva and Parvathi bless Arjuna and present the divine arrow Pasupatham.
at DAE Convention Center, Anushakthi Nagar, at 7.30 pm
Story: Narakasura Vadham
Libretto: Dharmaraja
In Association with DAE Cultural Center
The era this story is set in is Dwapara Yuga, the age of Lord Krishna. Narakasura is a mighty Asura who received some boons and the powerful arrow ‘Narayana Asthram’ from Lord Vishnu. The situation in the story begins with Narakasura sending Nakrathundi,his lady assistant to kidnap beautiful women from heaven. Then he enjoys time with his wife in his palace. They watch the beauty of the garden, the peacock dances, the swans playing…Suddenly he hears the scream of a woman. He curiously listens to that. He realizes that it is his assistant( Nakrathundi). He sees the shocking scene of his assistant disfigured with her breast and nose cut. He asks who did this cruel deed. She says that it was done by Jayanthan, the son of Indra, the lord of the heaven. He gets furious and is determined to avenge Nakrathundi. He decides to attack heaven. He arranges various different kind of weapons and prepares for the war. He attacks heaven, fights with Indran and defeats him. Then he attacks Airavatham, the white coloured elephant of Indran and defeats it. He catches Adithi the mother of Indra and takes away her valuable earrings and other precious items from heaven. Finally, he returns to earth.
at Terna auditorium, Nerul west, at 7.00 pm
Story: Lavanasura Vadham
Libretto: Palakkattusseri Amrutha Sasthrikal
In association with
The story of the play is set during Sita’s life in the ashramam of Valmiki after being abandoned by Srirama. Srirama conducts the Rajasooyam. The horse sent by Srirama as part of the Rajasooyam to conquer the other states of Bharatha Varsham reaches the ashramam of Valmiki. Lava and Kusha, sons of Srirama tie up the horse. Hanuman who was the messenger of Srirama, comes to release the horse without knowing who tied horse.. Lava and Kusha fight with Hanuman ,tie him up and take him to their mother Sita. Sita becomes deeply sad and upset. She tells her sons to release him and apologise.Hanumans enjoys the chivalry of the children very well. He chats with Sita for a while touches her feet and returns.
Vocal: E.M.Ramamohanan, N.N Abhijith Varma
Chenda: Guru Kalamandalamm Unnikrishnan, Kala. Ravisankar T.S
Maddalam: Kala. Rajnarayanan, Kala. K.V.Aneesh
Chutty(Make Up): Satheesan M.S, Manoj OS
Back stage: Sasi P.K., Sasidharan K.A., Chandran Unnithan P.S
Costume: Sree Bhavaneeswari Kathakali Yogam, Thripunithara
Live Sub Title: Dileepkumar
Photo Courtsey: Arun Menon – 9895655666 (Vellathadi), Malootty Karalmanna-9961733452 (Kathi)
Glimpses from the Festival
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