• Known as ‘Utsavam 2016’, the festival will feature a panoply of classical art forms, traditional Kerala ethnic percussions and vocal renderings during these three days. 
• The 3-day festival will witness performances by Padmasree Gopi Ashan, Padmasree Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar, Kalaamandalam Unnikrishnan, Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier, Pathiyoor Shankarankutty, Kottakkal Madhu, Margi Vijayakumar, Vineetha Nedungadi and KB Rajanand. 

Dubai, UAE, November 30, 2016:  Celebrating the ancient and highly structured classical performing arts from South Indian state of Kerala, the tenth edition of International Kathakali & Koodiyaattam Festival (IKKF) will be staged from December 1 to 3, 2016 at HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein Theatre, Gems Wellington High School, Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, organisers said. 

Known as ‘Ustavam 2016’, the festival of Indian classical drama, dance and musical performances with much pomp and grandeur, is organised by ‘Traditions Live’ under the aegis of the Consulate General of India in Dubai. The IKKF will feature the classical art forms of South Indian state of Kerala with much pomp and grandeur. Entry is free to the event 

Ms. Meera Sanal, Managing Director of Traditions Live, said, “We are proud to announce the ‘Ustavam 2016’ with much pomp and grandeur as the festival completes 10th successful year. Since its inception in 2006, the ‘Ustavam’ attracts a huge number of spectators and enthusiasts from the UAE and other Gulf countries as well. To celebrate the 10th edition, we have lined up a number of internationally-acclaimed artistes from Kerala, considered to be doyens and virtuosos in their respective art forms.”

“The line-up of artistes includes Padmasree Gopi Ashan, Padmasree Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar, Kalaamandalam Unnikrishnan, Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier, Pathiyoor Shankarankutty, Kottakkal Madhu, Margi Vijayakumar, Vineetha Nedungadi and KB Rajanand. Accompanied by more than 30 artistes from Kerala in addition to supporting artistes from the UAE, these veterans will be unveiling a panoply of classical art forms such as Kadhakali, Koodiyaattam, Thaayampaka, Mohiniyattam, Ottam Thullal, Sopana Sangeetham, and traditional Kerala ethnic percussions and vocal renderings during these three days,” she added. 

“In order to mitigate the esotericism of these art forms and heighten their appreciation, selected artistes would be giving lectures and expatiate on the techniques and nuances of these art forms. The lecture-demonstrations, by noted Mohiniyattam artiste Vineetha Nedungadi and KB Rajanand on Kadhakali - intend to provide a broad introduction to the art enthusiasts enabling them to enrich their understanding and appreciation of Kathakali in general and Kottayam Stories in particular,” Ms. Sanal said. 

The ‘Ustavam 2016’ will start at 9.30 am on Thursday, December 1, 2016 with Maddala Keli ethnic Kerala percussion performance, followed by Mohiniyattam lecture demonstration, ‘Rukmaanka Charitham’ and ‘Uthara Swayamvaram’ Kadhakali shows, and Thaayampaka performance by Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar. 

On Friday December 2, the festival will have Kadhakali Purappadu-Melappadam from 9am onwards, followed by ‘Subhadraaharanam’ and Narakaasuravadham’ Kadhakali shows, Mohiniyaattam and Double Thaayampaka performances. 

On the final day (December 3, 2016), the festival will start with Kadhakali introduction session, followed by Mohiniyattam, ‘Karnna Shabhadham’ and Keechakavadham’ Kadhakali shows, to be concluded with ‘Mattannoor Thrayam’ triple Thaayampaka performances. 

“We believe that through Utsavam-IKKF, we would be able to enhance the cultural profile of Kerala and India with these classical art forms among the cognoscenti of a very cosmopolitan UAE, thereby making them appreciate the longevity, richness and classicism of our arts and their relevance even in the modern era,” Ms. Sanal concluded. 

Traditions Live has always hand-picked the artistes, selecting the best exponents from the various schools of these arts.