Dance Artists from Kerala: A Rare Treat at Rath Yatra
By Kusum Vyas
Last Updated: July 18, 2008

Kerala dancers performed ritual dances at the Rath Yatra celebrations. Photo by Bijay Dixit.

HOUSTON: The artists from Kerala played an important role in the Ratha Yatra Festival on July 12. Their elaborate make up, costumes and captivating performances were a rare treat for Houstonians.

The artists were in Houston to perform in FOMAA (Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas) convention, which took place at Hilton Americas Houston from July 1 to 4th 2008.

The well-trained artists from Kerala are members of the Delhi Panchavadya Trust, which is a Teaching as well as a Performing Arts Institution, giving performances of temple art forms across India and abroad.

“We are fortunate to have an opportunity to witnessed these ancient form of art,” said Sasidharan Nair, Founding President of FOMAA. Mrs. Komalam Nair of Delhi was the guiding force behind the effort through ICCR to bring these talented artists to Houston.

The artists presented various forms of dance and music which included Theyyem, an ancient temple art form, from northern Kerala, It is a ritual and a folk-dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam ‘God’. ‘Aattam’ means dance. Thus ‘Theyyaattam’ means the God’s Dance.

One of the salient features of Theyyaattam is its colorful costume. There are few families who are dedicated to perform these ritual dances and they have passed this art down for generations, one of them is Mr. Chandu Panikar from Kerala who performed at the Ratha Yathra in Houston.

The artists also treated the attendees with Chendamelam a traditional temple percussion, which is playing normally for daily pooja in temple festivals and at different auspicious occasions.

Kathakali performed in the most captivating style, was a thrill for all that witnessed the performance. It is a unique form of Temple art developed in it modern style by the eminent poet Vallathol and it combines dance, music and percussion. It can be called the BEST BOON OF KERALA. It is being taught in Kalamandalm the eminent art school in Kerala where all forms of dances are being taught.

The artists will be in Houston until July 24.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mr. Sasidharan Nair at Snair02@aol.com