President Kochi-Moziris Binnale Bose Krishnamachari felicitated Padma Shri Award winner and exponent of Kalaripayattu Meenakshi Now at a function at Vadakara in kozhikode on 16 November. Photo credit: special arrangement
Participants of a seminar organized by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) at Vadakara in Kozhikode on Sunday (November 16) expressed their concern over the rapid spread of consumerism engulfing folk culture across the world.
However, they also said that age-old customs also slowly change with the times, which ensures that folklore is not just a thing of the past, but is able to constantly update itself.
Inaugurating the event, folklorist Purushottam Bilimale warned against neo-fascist forces trying to wipe out inferior voices that traditionally enrich folklore. “Recently there have been authoritarian moves to ensure a monolithic culture that suppresses a whole range of traditional approaches and aesthetics,” he said.
The inaugural ceremony was followed by six sessions and a performance of ‘Chavittu Nadakam’. This event, part of KBF’s “Art…Time…Conflict” series, was a preparation for the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), which began on 12 December. Curated by researcher Keli Ramachandran, KMB president Bose Krishnamachari was the chief guest at the public programme.
Mr. Krishnamachari observed that politics cannot be separated from art. “Right from the world’s first Biennale in Venice in 1895, the exhibits at all such new art festivals have a connection to regional or local politics,” he added. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by poet Veerankutty, president of Sahithyavedi, the literary forum that co-organised the seminar. Kalaripayattu exponent and Padma Shri awardee Meenakshi Amma was felicitated at the event.
The concluding session was addressed by literary critic P. Pavithran and chaired by seminar coordinator KM Bharathan. The 75-minute ‘Chavittu Nadakam’ titled ‘Karalman Charitham’ was staged by Kurumbathuruth Yuva Kerala Chavittunataka Vedi of Ernakulam.
Published – 16 Nov 2025 21:04 IST
