By Pallavi Rachel George
Make the eyes darker. Do the mudra properly, the master told her pupil. She knew her student was ready, the practice had gone well, and she had put in a lot of effort. And yet, looking at the nervous 15-year-old girl in the Mohiniyattam costume, the teachers eyes softened. After all, she herself had been in her students position, getting ready to dance at Asias biggest cultural event, the Kerala State Youth Festival or the Kerala School Kalolsavam.
Excitement sored to unprecedented heights in the small town of Palakkad, a district in Kerala, as it hosted the 54th Kerala State Youth Festival in the month of January 2014. The land of palm trees, Palakkad, hosted the 7 day event for the third time and saw about 10,000 young talents from 1048 schools across the state showcase their artistic skills in 232 competitions organized in 17 venues across the town.
For a classical dancer hailing from Kerala, the Kalolsavam (literally- Art Festival) is something that always excited me. Preparations start months before, monitored by the Education Department. Students get the opportunity to express their talent in school level, sub-district level, district level and last at the state level. When performers reach state level, perfection reaches its apogee and the beauty that unfolds is a sight to behold.
Every year a district is chosen to conduct the event. Perfect time management, impartial judgments and smooth conduction mark this event. Accommodation is made for over thousand people and various food courts are set up with delicious food items. Dr. C.S. Venkiteswaran sowed the seeds of the festival in 1956 and since then, the event has only increased in its impact and popularity. The theme of this edition of the festival is Protect the Right of Children. Kathakali, Mohinyattam, Kuchipudi, Oppana and many more dance forms, unique to Kerala, as well as essay writing, painting, guitar, music, etc. are showcased by the youth.
A hallmark of the event is that virtually every cultural piece in Gods Own Country is represented, providing a platform for talent that is blind to faith, religion and region. For example, Oppana is a wedding group dance performed by the Mappila (Kerala Muslims), Margam Kalli is a Christian dance performed traditionally by the Syrian Christians or Nasranis. Both have been given the status of competitive dances and are included in the Youth Festival.
The event also helps in popularizing many traditional art forms that are on the verge of getting extinct. Koodiyattam, is one such classical dance drama, which originated 2000 years ago in Kerala. It was performed in the Koothambalams of temples. Chavittu Nadakam is a highly colorful Latin Christian classical art form that originated in Cochin, Kerala. This art form resembles the European Opera and is believed to have originated during the 16th century AD, after the arrival of the Portuguese on the Kerala Shores. This cultural heritage had almost vanished due to lack of responsible patronage, but is now getting revived thanks to the school Kalolsavam.
This year, the defending champions, Calicut, won the crown. The next one will be held in Ernakulam. The platform offered by the Festival is immense. It is a matter of great prestige to have the Kalolsavam tagline for the artists, many of whom go on to become movie stars. Youngsters train for years to make it to the festival.
I didnt choose this topic only because it is not well known. I chose it because the event represents something. It serves as an example of how a variety of cultures can be united under one roof. Every culture and identity is a result of thousands of years of existence. In an era where diversity is becoming an excuse to perpetrate violence, Kerala serves as the perfect example of a place where variety is cherished and encouraged. The traditional and the modern go hand in hand, ensuring that neither is left behind or ignored. There is no attempt to assimilate and create a dominant identity. Instead, the diversity is brought together to create something so beautiful, that one stands in awe.
India celebrates her 65th Republic Day this year. Yes, she is young, she is vibrant, and she is ready to take her dominant place in the world. Her diversity is respected by the world, but let that not be a burden for her. We know of the riots, we know of the prejudice, we know of the pain. What we do not know is that violence is rarely instigated by the communities themselves. History indicates that every riot that has occurred is a result of political manipulation. We need to have the wisdom to understand that, and not fall prey to labeling societal sects. As we see the Sukhoi and Hercules aircrafts sore into the sky at Rajpath, let us remember who we are, and what we stand for; One billion voices. But one nation.
As the Mohiniyattam dancer stands waiting her turn, in her excitement, little does she realize the enormity of her participation. She stands as testimony and witness to a profound truth, a marvelous belief, that the essence of the beautiful is unity in variety. (Inspired by Jimmy Carters quote)- Let us not become a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic- with different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. A mosaic we call India.
Pallavi Rachel George is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in economics (honours) from St.Stephens College, Delhi University. Being born and brought up in a civil service family, she wants to make a difference and be beneficial to her society, a purpose her family upholds. A trained classical dancer, musician and school Vice Head girl, she went to Germany on a student exchange programme. On a lighter note, she likes dogs and hates olives. Bazinga.