Showcasing the best of Kerala’s vibrant folk and ritualistic art traditions, the 7-day cultural festival ‘Utsavam 2021’ got off to a colorful start, featuring hundreds of artistes in 30 venues across the state.
Inaugurating the event at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Mr Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Co-operation, Tourism and Devaswoms said the festival is aimed at preserving the rich and diverse art forms of Kerala.
“These folk art and cultural traditions are the tangible legacy of Kerala, handed down through generations. Many of them are now facing threat of sliding into oblivion. The Government considers it as its responsibility to preserve them by extending all support to artists, many of whom are struggling to keep these traditions alive” the Minister said.
The festival is organized by Kerala Tourism together with Kerala Folklore Academy, Bharat Bhavan and District Tourism Promotion Councils.
The highlight of the state-level roll-out of the annual event was the launch of ‘Utsavam’ Signature song, rendered by noted singer Shri Kavalam Sreekumar. Written by Shri.BS Biju, music to the song is set by Shri. Mathew Itty. The inaugural function was followed by a presentation of folk dance and naadan pattu, led by Shri. C J Kuttappan.
Leading folklore artists representing various traditions were honoured at the function with the Utsavam Puraskaram. The artists selected for the honour are Smt T K Baby (Onamkali Pattu), Shri Pramod TA (Pattu & Kaalakali), Shri Padmanabhan TR (Ambatheeradikalari), Shri Sudarshanakumar T (Padayani), ,Smt Bindu Pazhur (Mudiyettu), Smt Malathi Balan (Uralikoothu), Smt Rajamma A (Pooppada Thullal), Shri K Kunhi Koran (Poorakkali), Shri Dineshan Thekkankooran Peruvannan (Theyyam) and Smt Umbichi K (Mangalam kali).
The festival offers a venue for scores of performers representing a wide variety of folk, tribal and ethnic traditions that flourished in different parts of the state. This year, the event assumes added significance as it has come as a big support to artists hit by sweeping disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had its grim impact on the cultural domain as well.
https://brandkeralaonline.com/2019/11/07/impressive-with-impresa/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GRuNRhqT6o
