‘Utsavam’ Kerala Arts Festival!
‘Utsavam’, meaning ‘Festival’, is a unique initiative by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) to sustain and popularize traditional art forms of Kerala, some of which are dying out for want of patronage. Utsavam has already run through three editions. The fourth one was kick started on December 12, 2010 and will continue till February 27, 2011. Utsavam features a wide range of classical, folk and tribal arts performed in their authentic style by seasoned artistes.
Kerala has a vast repertoire of performing art forms, most of them derived from folk tradition. As has been the practice, the festival has been planned to coincide with the peak tourist season in the state to provide international tourists with an opportunity to savour Kerala’s multi-faceted cultural heritage.
More than a thousand artistes and musicians from various art and culture backgrounds will participate in the festival to showcase the richness of Kerala’s traditional art forms. Performances will be held at various venues across the state during the course of the festival. Each event will be a treat to watch. Besides promoting traditional folk and classical art forms that are fading into oblivion, Utsavam, which has now become an annual event, also greatly benefits many artistes for whom these art forms are the only source of livelihood.
The event is doing a world of good for propagating Kerala’s rich cultural heritage while acting as an added attraction during the peak season and luring tourists by the plane load. In the course of this year’s festival, as many as 80 art forms will be staged during the 350 programmes scheduled to be conducted at 47 select venues across the state.
KTDC has released a cultural calendar detailing the venues, dates and performances for the benefit of tour operators and agencies abroad. Seminars and study classes will also be conducted as part of the festival with the intention of making these art forms popular among tourists as well as among the younger generation within the State.
In Cochin, the stages are set at the Vasco da Gama Square at Fort Cochin, Bolghatty Palace, Kumbalanghi Model Tourism Society Hall and at Munnambam in Vypeen.
If you are a culture enthusiast, Kerala has plenty to show. And this is the best time to catch her in the act. Call Kerala Travel Centre today on their freephone 0808 178 9799 for more details of the Kerala Utsavam art festival . If you are a culture enthusiast, and are planning a cultural holiday to Kerala you may also want to have a read through our cultural tours.
