Kochi:
When the curtains rise for their first full night Kathakali performance at Changampuzha Park, Ernakulam from Saturday 3.30pm to Sunday 5.30am, it would be a dream come true for a group of Kathalaki enthusiasts, who have been trying to promote and popularise the dance form.
Called 'Keleeravam Kathakali Association', it has evolved this year as a formal organisation from the 'Kathakali group' in Facebook.
For quite some time, its members promoted the art form through social networking sites, with discussions and posts on Kathakali. That's when some of them put forward the idea of establishing a formal organisation to practice its ideas in an organised manner.
The response they got was encouraging and aesthetes from all continents contributed on various functional areas to make the project a reality.
The organisation that envisages a global vision to promote Kathakali with its wide scope of activities has planned its formal launch on 17 December.
In a year's time the group has around 1,300 members from all over the world.
Keleeravam registered itself in mid-November and is now ready with its first programme with the participation of over 50 artists. The organisers have also planned a unique launch, by holding a special ceremonial inauguration that will see seven veterans of Kathakali representing various segments.
Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Madavur Vasudevan Nair have been roped in for Vesham, while Kalamandalam Gangadharan Nair will deliver the vocal. There will be Appunni Tharakan for Aniyara, Kurur Vasudevan Naboothiri on Chenda, Sadanam Devadas on Maddalam and Kalamandalam Satheeshan for the Chutty. Several high-profile professionals from all over the world have confirmed their participation for the event.
Though the main aim of the members of Keleeravam is to promote Kathakali, it is also looking at providing welfare schemes for ailing Kathakali artists and their families. Keleeravam will be setting aside 10-20 per cent of the organisation's total income, which will be contributed for the above. In the year to come, a medical insurance scheme for Kathakali artists is also being planned.
A striking aspect about 'Keleeravam' is that it is a global organisation in the true sense of the word, as its members come from everywhere. Sethunath Nair, a project manager in a leading IT firm in Thiruvananthapuram was the man who put forth the idea of creating the group. He is also a Kathakali performer and is the present acting president of Keleeravam. Other members like Ranjni Nair who is a performing Kathakali artist, works in Dubai. Roshni Pillai who lives in United States will be performing as Panchali in Kalyanasaugandikam Kathakali in the opening event on Saturday.
"We are planning to have a revolution in the field of Kathakali. The group has a sincere, devoted team of Kathakali loyalists around the world, and we are planning to mobilise funds for the art through sponsorships from various institutions," says Shanavas Kanhikoth, a group member who has been actively involved in the documentation and publicity campaigns of Keleeravam. Shanavas is a Kathakali enthusiast who also heads the IT Division of a company in Saudi Arabia.