THE NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND - A SUCCESS

KERALA COMES TO WHITEHILL AND BORDON 2023 - 2024

EXPLORE THE ANCIENT CULTURE OF KERALA, SOUTH WEST INDIA.

 

 

 

 CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE PEOPLE OF KERALA. 

 

EXHIBITION - WORKSHOPS  - PERFORMANCES - ALL WELCOME. 

This project is made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will highlight, and celebrate, the people who were born in Kerala and settled in this country through an exhibition of costumes, traditional Kerala dress, photographs, films and artifacts, practical workshops and professional performances featuring Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam and the powerful drumming of a Chenda Melam. 

 

BACKGROUND

The people from Kerala left their homes and communities to settle in England.

But what traditions did they bring with them? What did they have to leave behind? How do they feel living in this country far away from watching the sun set on a coconut fringed beach in Kerala? 

 

 

AN ANCIENT HERITAGE

With thousands of years of history the people from Kerala brought rare and remakable treasures to the UK, KATHAKALI - classical dance drama, MOHINIATTAM - classical dance, BHARATANATYAM - classical dance, CHENDA MELAM - drumming, delicious food unique to Kerala and a multi-faith community that dates back for centuries.   

 

KATHAKALI - classical dance drama performed traditionally by men.

Actor - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Troupe.                Photo credit Garry Laybourn

 

MOHINIATTAM - classical dance performed by women.

Upahaar Dance Compny.

 

BHARATANATYAM - one of the oldest classical dances of India performed by men and women.

Dancer Rajamali

 

CHENDA MELAM - ancient drumming used in temple rituals and the performing arts. 

 

 

KERALA FOOD - possibly the best in the world. 

Kerala food traditionally served form a banana leaf.

 

 

COME AND JOIN US 

Learn through a workshop, see the exhibition and experience a performance - for details please visit Whats On. . 

 

THANK YOU

Thank you to the following for hosting and supporting this exciting and rare project.

The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon. - exhibition, outreach programme, workshops and performances.

Whitehill and Bordon Community Trust -  workshops and outreach programme. 

Haslemere Educational Museum - workshops, research, collecting memories.

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery - workshops, performance - costume conservation - Deaf and Blind Awareness training. 

 

                              

 

MORE INFORMATION

For events please visit our Whats On page

Any questions please contact us.