A five-day international Koodiyattam and Kathakali festival, showcasing and promoting traditional art forms of Kerala, began here today.
'Utsavam'13', organised by the Consulate of India here in association with International Koodiyattam and Kathakali Festival team (IKKF), will be held at Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein Theatre in GEMS Wellington International School.
IKKF aims at promoting traditional art forms of Kerala like Koodiyattam, Kathakali, Keli, Melappadam, Koothu and Thayampaka in the UAE.
The most popular of these is the highly classical dance-drama Kathakali, which involves intricate make-up, elaborate costumes and detailed gestures.
The highlight of this year's festival is the staging of the unabridged Malayalam classic Nalacharitham.
The seventh edition of the IKKF fittingly coincides with UAE's National Day, celebrating the country's multicultural society.
IKKF will also bring on stage the rich repertoire of Koodiyattam, the oldest surviving Sanskrit theatre proclaimed by UNESCO as part of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
