2021 Onwards

2021

Covid

Like everyone else we were struck down by covid and had to put everything on hold. Schools were shut to the general public, museums and theatres closed nd travel impossible.

We spent the time preparing fro when we came out of lockdown and could start of Life Behind the Costume heritage project in Croydon.

Kalamandalam Vijayakumar launched the first digital, interactive dictionary of Kathakali sign language - www.kathakalimudras.com

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2022

Life behind the Costume - exhibition - workshops and performances

We delivered our project including performances, workshops and three exhibitions at Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, Norbury Library and The Museum of Croydon. We provided performances and workshops in Kathakali, led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, Bharatanatyam, led by Anusha Subramanyam, and Chenda [drumming] led by Vinod Navadhara featuring artists from Sangeetha and MAUK.

The workshops were enjoyed by audiences attending events at Subrang Arts, Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, Museum of Croydon, Norbury Library and the Museum of Croydon.

To complete the exerience Kerala food, arranged by Chenda artist - Prakash Ramaswarmy, was served at the performances in the Museum of Croydon. The Chenda Melam provided by Sageetha and MAUK artists at the Museum of Croydon brought the sounds of Kerala into the exhibition.

Through the exhibition people were able to discover the culture of Kerala, view in detail the Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam costumes, traditional dress of Kerala, films and photographs. Exlpore the Handling Box to feel the weight, texture, sound and shape of sections of the Kathakali costumes.

Photo credit Rolf Killius

Kathakali around the UK

Kathakali also performed at The Glasgow Mela and festivals in Walsall, Chesterfield and Croydon.

Kathakali costumes donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

We donated our Kathakali costumes to the Victoria and Albert Museum ensuring that Kathakali will be represented in one of the most famous museum for costumes in the world for future generations to see.

In Kerala south India

Kerala 2022 involved performing in temples, giving workshops in schools and writing a book about My Journey Overland to India in 1972.

Below is a drawing that I did from a train window 50 years ago when I travelled from north India to south India and I first saw the beautiful coconut trees. I felt as if I was arriving in paradise.

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2023

Our Heritage project called - Kathakali Comes to Whitehill and Bordon - was kindly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centte, and supported by Halsemere Educational Museum, Petersfield Museum and Art gallery and Whitehill and Bordon Community Trust.

We will be running a series of workshops, performances and an exhibition featuring Kathakali costumes, south Indian dance costumes, traditional Kerala dress, films and photographs.

2024

We are preparing for a year of exciting activities to include an exhibition of Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam costumes, traditional dress of Kerala, photographs and artifacts supported by Kathakali performances and workshops.

If you would like to see a performance, exhibition or take part in a workshop please visit our Whats On page.

Tour & Event Dates: The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company

If you would like to book and exhibition, performance or workshop - please contact us.

News Letter

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For more details please visit our website and click on Whats On. https://www.kathakali.net/

Sign Language

If you can not understand the Kathakali gestures - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar is providing free lessons online please visit https://kathakalimusdras.com