Exhibitions

 

March - June 2022

As we come out of lockdown we are finally able to plan our Kathakali Heritage Project featuring an exhibition of Kathakali Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam  costumes, the traditional dress of Kerala, photographs and films to expose Kerala culture and the remarkable life behind the Kathakali costumes.  

 

Workshops and performances by internationally renowned artists Kathakali - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Bharatanatyam - Anusha Subramanyam

The Kerala community of Croydon will be contributing Chenda Melam - powerful drumming, Kia Kotti Kali - a centuries old dance performed by women and Kerala food. 

 

Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, Croydon.

March 16th - 18th 2022. 

Will be hosting an exhibition of costumes and solo performances of Kathakali and Bharatnatyam for the academy, local feeder schools and community. 

Performances by internationally renowned artists Kathakali - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Bharatanatyam - Anusha Subramanyam

 

 

The Norbury Library - Croydon.

April 2nd - April 21st

Will be hosting an exhibition of Kathakali costumes, photographs, films, workshops and solo performances to bring Indian storytelling alive. Suitable for all ages.

 

 

The Museum of Croydon

April 30th - May 21st 2022

Will be hosting an exhibition of Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam costumes, traditional dress of Kerala, photographs, films and an evening of celebration featuring performances of solo Kathakali and Bharatanatyam, a guided tour of the exhibition and  performances of Chenda Melam - drumming and Kia Koti Kali [folk dance]. Delicious Kerala food to complete the evening. 

Performances by internationally renowned artists Kathakali - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Bharatanatyam - Anusha Subramanyam

 

The Kerala Community - Croydon.

Date to be confirmed will be hosting an evening of Kathakali and Kerala events to celebrate Onam. 

 

Workshops and Performances 

To accompany the exhibitions there will be a series of workshops and performances:

 

Subrang Arts - Croydon

March 19th and 20th 2022

Subrang Arts will be hosting two workshops.

March 19th - exploring the similarities between Kathakali and Gujurati folk dance.

March 20th - exploring Kathakali fcharactes, how they move, who they represent and make a mask to take home.

led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamanadalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

Beeja Dance Company - Croydon

Date to be confirmed

Will be hosting two workshops to explore the heritage and techniques of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamanadalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

Play for Progress - Croydon

Date to be confirmed.

Will host two workshops exploring the ancient healing qualities of Kathakali to focus the mind and body.

Explore how stories can be told through emotion, gestures and body language and the power of visual theate. 

 

As soon as we have confirmed details we will post details on our web page - please watch this space.

 

Our Kathakali costumes represent the Hindu deities through 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.

Some of the costume sections are over 200 years old showing the carving marks of 18th century craftsmen.

The are costumes owned by the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company and are the only full set of Kathakali costumes outside of India, are used in our performances and will eventually become part of the Victoria and Albert Museum`s permanent collection.

Workshops and performances reveal what the costumes represent, their history, how they are repaired and how the characters are brought to life by a Kathakali actor.