Event Dates
Welcome - thank you for visiting our Event Dates Page.
We will be working with a range of schools, colleges, universities and community groups to celebrate Kathakali and the Heritage of Kerala, south west India.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our public events listed below - please book in advance and arrange to meet the artists.
SELECTION OF EVENTS
PERFORMANCES
Full Company performances.
Solo performances.
WORKSHOPS
Mask making workshops
Drama workshops
Costume study - conservation workshops
EXHIBITIONS
Exhibitions of Kathakali costumes, photographs, traditional dress of Kerala and films.
TO BOOK
To see a workshop, exhibition and/or performance open to the public please scroll down.
To book a workshop, performance or exhibition for your school, theatre or group please click the link below.
Contact Us - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
EVENT LIST 2023 - 2024
NOVEMBER 2023
19th NOV 2203
ZARTOSHTY BROTHERS HALL
SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL CELEBRATE INTER FAITH WEEK
ZARTOSHTY BROTHERS HALL
ZOROASTIAN CENTRE
440 ALEXANDRA AVENUE
RAYNERS LANE
HARROW.
HA29 TL
EVENT
12.00 - 6.00pm
A day of Indian culture and heritage.
Solo Kathakali at 1.45pm.
Everyone welcome.
TO BOOK
For free registration please email: southasianheritagefest@gmail.com
April 2024
6th April 2024 – Haslemere Education Museum
78 High Street, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2LA
Tel: 01428 642112
Kathakali workshops
Kathakali drama – Learn how a Kathakali actor uses a 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras, facial expressions, emotions and characters to tell a story.
Maskmaking – Learn about the traditional makeup designs then create your own mask. Display your mask as part of an exhibition of Kathakali costumes at the Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon, Hants.
Learn more about our workshops
Timings
11.00am – Please arrive early for prompt 11.30 start
11.30am – 12.30pm
Drama workshop – Please wear comfortable clothes suitable for movement.
12.30pm – 1.30pm
Break – See the museum, light refreshments provided.
1.30pm - 3.00pm
Mask making workshop – art materials provided.
Book a place
The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please email southasianheritagefest@gmail.com to book a place
12th APRIL 2024
PETERSFIELD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
ST PETER`S ROAD
PETERSFIELD
GU32 3HX
TEL 01428 642112
EVENT - KATHAKALI WORKSHOPS
Kathakali drama workshop and maskmaking workshop.
DETAILS
KATHAKALI DRAMA - Learn how a Kathakali actor uses a 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras, facial expressions, emotions and characters to tell a story.
MASKMAKING - Learn about the traditional makeup designs then create your own mask.
Display your mask as part of an exhibition of Kathakali costumes at the Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon, Hants.
Kathakali drama workshop
Kathakali maksmaking workshop.
TIMES
11.00am.
Arrive ready for an 11.30am start.
11.30am to 12.30pm.
DRAMA WORKSHOP.
Please wear cloths suitable for movement.
12.30pm to 1.30pm
BREAK
See the museum.
Light refreshments provided.
1.30pm to 3.00pm.
MASK MAKING WORKSHOP
Make a mask.
Art materials provided.
TO BOOK AND INFORMATION – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
23rd APRIL 2024
PETERSFIELD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
ST PETER`S ROAD
PETERSFIELD
GU32 3HX
TEL 01428 642112
EVENT - KATHAKALI WORKSHOP AND SOLO PERFORMANCE.
DETAILS
Kathakali Costume Conservation workshop and SOLO Kathakali performance.
KATHAKALI COSTUME CONSERVATION.
Learn about the character the costume represents, the skills needed to preserve them and how to handle a sacred object.
Led by Kathakali specialists:
Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar
and Kalamandalam Vijayakumar.
Jane Pritchard, Curator for Dance at the Victoria and Albert Museum will talk about the role that costumes play in capturing our heriatge.
KATHAKALI SOLO PERFORMANCE.
See the makeup and costuming the experience a solo Kathakali performance.
Led by Kathakali specialists Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar.
Kathakali costume study and conservation
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Kathakali solo performance by kalamandalam Vijayakumar.
Photo credit Garry Laybourn
TIMES
10.30am
Arrive ready for an 11.00am start.
11.00am to 12.30pm.
DRAMA WORKSHOP.
Please wear cloths suitable for movement.
12.30pm to 1.30pm
BREAK
See the museum.
Light refreshments provided.
1.30pm to 2.00pm.
SEE MAKEUP AND COSTUMING.
2.00pm to 3.30pm
SOLO PERFORMANCE.
Talk demonstration.
Solo Kathakali performance.
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION please click on our webpage www.kathakali.net
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information. Contact Us
AUTUMN 2024
The Phoenix theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon, Hampshire
The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre will be hosting events throughout 2024 to celebrate the cultural heritage of Kerala, south India, to include an exhibition, performances and workshops.
KATHAKALI IN EDUCATION.
We will be working with several schools, colleges and community groups.
If you would like to book a workshop and/or a performance for your school, theatre or group please click on the link
Contact Us - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
Kerala Comes to Whitehill and Bordon Heritage project is kindly funded and supported by:
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OCTOBER 2024
12th OCTOBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - PERFORMANCE
DETAILS
A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS OF KERALA, SOUTH INDIA.
See the ancient arts of Kerala performed by experts from Kerala.
Listen to the rhythmn of Chenda Melam [drumming], see the precise movements of Bharatanatyam, enjoy the graceful movements of Mohinattam once performed in the palaces of Kerala then experience the powerful storytelling of Kathakali.
As the drums play again enjoy Indian snacks and meet the artists.
Kathakali - Photo credite Mark Bennett
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Bharatanatyam
Mohiniattam
Chennda Melam
TIME
7.00pm to 7.30pm
Arrive
7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Performaces
9.30pm - 10.00pm.
Refreshments served and meet the artists
FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit our webpage
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
23RD OCTOBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - EXHIBITION
DETAILS
Kerala Arts Exhibition Opening – An exhibition of magnificent Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam costumes, traditional dress of Kerala, drums, photographs, and films.
Costumes
Traditional Kerala dress.
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
NOVEMBER 2024
2ND NOVEMBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCE
A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS OF KERALA, SOUTH INDIA.
EXHIBITION
Arrive early, see the beautiful carved wooden Kathakali headdresses and costumes, the Mohiniattam and Bharatanayam costumes edged with gold threads, the traditional dress of Kerala and photographs and films of life in Kerala.
Kathakali ornaments.
Gateway to the exhibition
PERFORMANCES
See the ancient arts of Kerala performed by experts from Kerala, listen to the rhythmn of Chenda Melam [drumming], see the precise movements of Bharatanatyam, enjoy the graceful movements of Mohinattam once performed in the palaces of Kerala then experience the powerful storytelling of Kathakali.
As the drums play again enjoy Indian snacks and meet the artists.
Kathakali - Photo credite Mark Bennett
Bharatanatyam
Mohiniattam
Chennda Melam
As the drums play again enjoy Indian snacks and meet the artists.
TIME
6.00pm to 7.30pm.
Arrive - see the exhibition.
7.30pm - 9.30pm.
Performaces.
9.30pm - 10.00pm
Refreshments served.
Meet the artists
FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit our webpage
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
9TH NOVEMBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - WORKSHOP
DETAILS
Mohiniattam - classical dance of Kerala.
A guided tour of the exhibition followed by a practical workshops exploring the movements of Mohiniattam.
Led by Shalini Sivashankar of Upahaar School of Dance.
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
16th NOVEMBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - WORKSHOP
DETAILS
CHENDA MELAM - traditional drumming of Kerala.
A guided tour of the exhibition followed by a practical workshop exploring the rhythmic sounds of the Chenda.
Discover the history of the Chenda, how it arrived in Kerala and what it is used for.
Learn the basic rhythmns and how to use the drum sticks.
Led by Vinod Navadhara
Chenda Group
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
23rd NOVEMBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - WORKSHOP
DETAILS
BHARATANTAYAM – classical dance of southern India. .
A guided tour of the exhibition followed by a practical workshop exploring the classical movements of Bharatanatyam.
Understand how Bharatanatyam took inspiration from the temple sculptures depicting basic poses of this dance.
Learn basic movements that show classical body shapes in movement.
Led by Vidya Thirunarayanan
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Bharatanatyam
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
30th NOVEMBER 2024
THE PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE
BARBADOS HOUSE
STATION ROAD
BORDON.
GU35 0LR
TEL: 01420 472664
EVENT - WORKSHOP
DETAILS
KATHAKALI – classical dance drama of Kerala.
To close the exhibition Kathakali will provide a guided tour highlighting how all the art forms celebrate Kerala heritage.
A demonstration of how the Kathakali characters in the exhibition move, show emotion and tell a story.
Then enjoy a practical workshop learning how a Kathakali actor tells a story through facial expressions, characters and a 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras.
Led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar.
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Kalamandalam Vijayakumar - Kathakali drama workshop
Kalamandalam Vijayakumar showing the gesture for elephant.
TIME
1.00pm to 2.00pm.
Arrive and view the exhibition
2.00pm to 4.00pm
Guided tour of exhibtion and drama based Kathakali workshop.
FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit our webpage
TO BOOK – The Box Office for this event is not open at present – please click on the link to receive our Newsletter for up-to-date information.
30TH NOVEMBER
PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE.
EXHIBITION CLOSES.
Kerala Comes to Whitehill and Bordon Heritage project is kindly funded and supported by:
Dates will be added as they become confirmed - please watch this space.......
Why not join our Mailing List and be the first to know of our events as they are confirmed.
Please follow the link
Contact Us - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
If you would like to know about what we have done in the past - please carry on scrolling........
PAST PROJECTS:
11th NOVEMBER 2203
HASLEMERE EDUCATIONAL MUSEUM
EVENT Oral History Heritage Workshop
People from Kerala shared their stories in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The memories collected will be retained by the Wessex Film and Sound Archives, Winchester, for future generations to enjoy.
TEL 01428 642112
October 2021 to July 2022.
Exhibition - Museum of Croydon.
“Life Behind the Costume” heritage project, based at The Museum of Croydon and kindly funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This project featured exhibitions, performances and workshops that explore the culture of Kerala and the remarkable world behind the Kathakali costumes - the history, festivals, people, traditions, food and the arts. Kerala has preserved it`s heritage for centuries as a testemony of how people value and celebrate their identity.
The exhibition was so popular that it was extended from three weeks to four months.
Workshops:
The workshops brought people of all ages together to learn about Kathaklai and it`s cultural traditions.
Performances:
The exhibtion was brough to life through performances of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam dance, Kia Kotti Kali - dance and Chenda Melam - drumming.
Professional artists
The activities will be led by internationally renowned artists:
Kathakali - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar, Kalamandalam Harikumar and Sadanam Mohan.
Bharatanatyam - Anusha Subramanyam
Chenda [drumming] by Vinod Navadhara
Oral History by Rolf Killius
Promoters
- Museum of Croydon
- Subrang Arts, Croydon
- The Norbury Library, London.
Why not join our Mailing List and receive up to date information on our events? Contact Us - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
SOMETHING NEW - UNDERSTANDING KATHAKALI SIGN LANGUAGE
If you can`t understand the Kathakali sign language used to tell a story?
Don`t worry.......
Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, Kathakali actor and co-founder of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, has created the first digital interactive Dictionary of Kathakali Mudras [sign language] in the world.
People can learn the Mudras [gestures] used in Kathakali and understand what the actors are actually saying.
To access the first interactive Dictionary of Kathakali Mudras in the world please click here Kathakali Mudras
For an introduction lesson in Kathakali sign language please click http://youtu.be/u7S-c6jlivc
Actors Kalamandalam Balasubramanain and Kalamandalam Vijayakumar Photo credit Mark Bennett
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THANK YOU
Hope to see you at one of the events.
If you need any more information, help - please click below