Exhibitions
Welcome - thank you for visiting our Exhibition Page.
KATHAKALI HERITAGE PROJECT 2024.
KERALA COMES TO WHITEHILL AND BORDON 2023 - 2024
to include
AN EXHIBITION - WORKSHOPS - PERFORMANCES
Kathakali - classical dance drama from Kerala - Hamsa - the Golden Swan.
Support
Thanks to the kind support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Haslemere Educational Museum, Whitehill and Bordon Community Trust and Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery we are able to present this exciting heritage project.
A celebration.
This project is a celebration of the people born in Kerala who brought their incredible heritage with them when they settled in this country.
A long way from home
People travelled a long way from Kerala, to settle in the UK.
What were their dreams, fears and aspirations as they made that journey to a different way if life?
They didn`t come alone, they brought some of the most incredible culture on earth to share with their new communities.
What we brought with us.
Some of the ancient art forms the people from Kerala brought with them when they settled in this country.
Kathakali
Mohiniattam
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Bharatanatyam
Chenda Melam
The exhibition
The exhibition features the magnificent Kathakali costumes, Mohiniattam and Bharathanatyam - dance costumes, Chenda Melam - drums, photographs, musical instruments, the traditional dress of Kerala, musical instruments, films and photographs.
Take your time, view the beautiful costumes costumes and learn about their history.
Come alive.
Performances.
See these costumes come alive through the skill and dedication of highly experienced and talented artists from Kerala.
Learn.
Workshops
Discover how to tell a story though a 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras, learn how to play a chenda drum, make a mask or lean movements inspired by ancient temple sculptures.
TO BOOK
Please click on our Event Dates Page.
Dates
Autumn 2024.
Kerala Comes to Whitehill and Bordon - Petersfield and Haslemere Heritage Project.
23rd October - 30th November 2024.
PHOENIX THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE, BORDON.
Discover the ancient heritage of Kerala through an exhibition of stunning Kathakali costumes, photographs and traditional dress of Kerala brought to life with workshops, performances of Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam and Chenda - drumming.
To book or more details please click on the link to our Event Dates Page.
Venues:
We are delighted to be working with several promoters to include:
The Phoenix theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon, Hants.
Barbados House, Station Road, Bordon. GU35 0LR.
T: 01420 472664 - www.phoenixarts.co.uk
Hosting the exhibition, performances, outreach work and workshops.
Whitehill and Bordon Community Trust, Bordon.
E: info@wb-ct.org T: 0776296184 www.wb-ct.org
Hosting workshops and linking the local community.
Haslemere Educational Museum, Haslemere.
78 High Street, Haslemere. GU27 2LA.
T: 01428 642112. www.haslemeremusaeum.co.uk
Hosting a Kathakali solo performance, Kathakali drama workshop and a maskmaking workshop.
Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery
St Peter`s Road, Petersfield. GU32 3HX
T: 01730 262601. www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk
Hosting Kathakali workshops, maskmaking workshops and a costume conservation specialist workshop.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please click on the link to our Events Page.
Tour & Event Dates: The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company.
NEWS LETTER
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Contact Us - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
Images of the exhibition.
Welcome into the incredible world of Kerala.
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Traditional dress work by women in Kerala.
Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam costumes.
Relax, take your time
View the intricate wood carving of the Kathakali headdresses, see the superb makeup captured in a mask and study the characters that have performed on the Kathakali stage for centuries.
See the Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam costumes made from beautiful fabric edged with golden threads.
Centuries ago the spinners, weavers and dyers of sothern India produced some of the best fabric in the world.
Fabric from the Kathakali female character`s costume.
For more details please click on our Whats On.
Tour & Event Dates: The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
Dates and details please visit our Whats On Event Dates via the link below.
Tour & Event Dates: The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
Volunteers welcome
There are so many exciting opportunties for volunteers to be involved to include:
Publicity and Marketing.
Learning how we deliver workshops.
Handling sacred objects.
Installing the exhibition.
Meet and greet the public attending an exhibition.
Deaf Awareness training
Blind Awareness training
Publicity and Marekting.
and more .....
For more information on volunteering for this project please contact us.
Contact Us - The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
We would like to thank the National lottery palyers, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Haslemere Educational Museum, Petersfield Museum and Arts Gallery and Whitehill and Bordon Community trust for making this project possible.
This project is kindly funded and supported by the following:
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Continue scrolling if you want to read about our exhibitions in the past.
EXHIBITION PREVIOUS DATES 2022
Our Kathakali costumes represent the Hindu deities through some of the most remarkable visual images in the world of theatre.
Behind these costumes is a world of music, art, drama, dance, festivals, rituals that have been created and nurtured by the people of Kerala, south India.
In 2022 we delivered an exhibition supported by workshops and performances in the following venues.
MUSEUM OF CROYDON
An Exhibition of Kathakali costumes supported by workshops and performances.
Some of the costume sections are over 200 years old showing the carving marks of 18th century craftsmen.
The costumes are owned by Kathakali artists, Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, and are the only full set of Kathakali costumes outside of India. They are used in the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company performances and will eventually become part of the Victoria and Albert Museum`s permanent collection.
The exhibition revealed the characters that they represent, their history and how the costumes are brought to life by through films and photographs.
Authentic Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam costumes from Kerala, films, Oral Histories and photographs displayed beautiful colours, fabrics, intricate wood carving, tailoring and pattern cutting.
Due to popular demand the Life Behind the Costume exhibition has been extended from 3 weeks to 4 months.
Mask and photo credit - Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar
Kathakali sign language [Mudras]
If you can not understand the Kathakali gestures - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar is providing free lessons online please visit https://kathakalimusdras.com
PAST EVENTS
Workshops and performances - completed
Norbury Library, Norbury, London
Museum of Croydon, Croydon
Subrang Arts - Croydon
Kia Kottu kali - traditional dance of Kerala performed by women.
EXHIBITION OF WORTHING 2015
TO BOOK AN EXHIBITION FOR YOUR MUSEUM OR ART GALLERY
Whether you would like to book or visit one of our exhibitions, performances or workshops please don’t hesitate to contact us - please click on the link: