IKKF Part 1
The highlights of the over-30-hour-fare of events to be held during December 4-6, 2014 at HRH Princess Haya Bint Hussein Theatre, GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai are:
Kathakali
[“Ravanayanam”- We focus on plays with Ravana as the central character]
Ravana, the most illustrious anti-hero in the Puranas, has enchanted the imagination of generations spanning more than twenty centuries across the breadth of the sub-continent, many South-East Asian nations and beyond. From the powerful demon king to the tragic dasyu emperor – he has reflected the souls of contrasting civilizations. Sage Valmiki, and many who followed have portrayed Ravana in all hues of humanity – from mystical to lustful. In Kathakali, Ravana attained his glory with the advent of the kaplingadan style in mid-eighteenth century. Since then he is the foremost and the quintessential anti-hero (kaththi vesham) of Kathakali.
In our 2014 repertoire, Traditions Live tries to explore the vibrant and varied facets of Ravana across four plays where he is the central character.
- Ravanothbhavam (The Rise of Ravana)
- Ravanavijayam (Victory of Ravana)
- Balivijayam (Victory of Bali over Ravana)
- Balivadham (The slaying of Bali)
In addition, we present two more plays – Seethaswayamvaram (The Wedding of Seetha) another episode from Ramayana, and Rugminiswayamvaram (The Wedding of Rugmini) a tale from Bhagavatham. Seetha and Rugmini, becoming the consort of Shree Raman and Shree Krishnan, respectively, are the central themes of these plays though actual scenes enacted on stage focus on other parts of the stories.
Sheethankanthullal
- Story: Kalyanasougandhikam
Ottanthullal
- Story: Garuda Garva Bhangam (The vanquishing of Garuda’s pride)
Thaayampaka
Lecture & Demonstration
Among the artistes who will perform in Utsavam ’14 are eminent ones such as Madavoor Vasudevan Nair [Padma Bhushan awardee], Kottakkal Kesavan Kundalayar, Kalamandalam Geethanandan, Kallur Ramankutty Marar, Porur Unnikrishnan, and Kalamandalam Krishnadas.