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International Festival of Kutiyattam at Kerala Kalamandalam Marked 60 Years of Living Tradition

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 384 - August 2025

The International Festival of Kutiyattam (IFK-2025) at Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, marks a milestone in the art history of Kerala, celebrating six decades since Kutiyattam was brought into the academic mainstream by visionaries like Guru Painkulam Ramachakyar. This historic step, taken in 1965, transformed Kutiyattam from a tradition bound by custom into a subject of research and performance, allowing it to flourish as a living art form with global recognition.

This year’s festival is anchored in the theme “Kutiyattam – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” reflecting on the journey of this ancient Sanskrit theatre through retrospection, innovation, and dialogue. The event opened with a vibrant curtain raiser, ‘Rhyth Mandala’ percussion ensemble at the Hortus Malabaricus Garden, Cheruthuruthy, setting the tone for a week of artistic and intellectual exchange.

Each day of IFK-2025 unfolds with a blend of keynotes, seminars, panel discussions, and major Kutiyattam performances. Topics range from the influence of Natya Shastra and the role of women in theatre to the intersections of folk art, anthropology, and pedagogy. Eminent scholars, artists, and practitioners, including Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Dr. K.G. Poulose, and senior exponents of Kerala Kalamandalam, lead discussions that not only honour tradition but also address the evolving context of Kutiyattam in contemporary society.

A highlight of the festival is the diverse programme of performances, from canonical works like “Mayaseethankanam” and “Parvatirivaham” to innovative explorations involving emerging artists, women performers, and interdisciplinary ensembles. Classical forms like Nangyarkoothu, Mizhavu, Chakyar Koothu, and Padayani are featured alongside new interpretations, showcasing both the depth and dynamism of the Kutiyattam tradition.

On July 31, the festival paid tribute to Guru Painkulam Ramachakyar with a floral homage and the declaration of World Kutiyattam Day, cemented his legacy as the force behind the art’s renaissance. The programme also includes a special memorial conference, gathering of artists, and commemorative addresses.

IFK-2025 closes with reflective sessions on the evolution and future of Kutiyattam, honouring outstanding artists and inviting the next generation to take the stage. Across the week, the atmosphere at Kerala Kalamandalam is one of celebration, learning, and community, a living tribute to sixty years of pioneering vision, creative dialogue, and cultural stewardship.

Kerala Kalamandalam’s International Festival of Kutiyattam reaffirms the institution’s central role as a guardian and innovator of this UNESCO-listed heritage, offering a platform where tradition meets transformation, and the spirit of Kutiyattam continues to inspire artists and audiences alike.