KOCHI: Traditional art forms of Kerala, including Kalaripayattu, have got a new saviour - the wedding parties of elite class. With the trend of hosting Kalaripayattu and Kathakali performances as part of post-wedding parties catching up, around 50 such programmes were held during the last one year. It is mainly the Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs), who insist on presenting traditional art forms of Kerala at wedding parties.“It seems that the NRKs take the post-wedding parties as an opportunity to showcase the culture of their homeland before guests from other countries. And, those from foreign countries really enjoy such items,” said Rajesh G of Yes Events, Kochi. Besides Kalaripayattu and Kathakali, other art forms like Mohiniyattom and Ottanthulal also find a place in these programmes, he said. While Kalarippayattu performances may last up to an hour, the duration of other items like Kathakali will be from five to ten minutes. “Usually, we perform fire dance and items using Churika (dagger) and Urumi (Curling Blade). Our performance will last from half-an-hour to one hour,” said Ajith of Maruthi Kalari Sangham, Mudavanmugal, Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier, cultural organisations and government agencies were the lone organisers for Kalarippayattu. “We have staged programmes in European countries like Italy and Spain as part of cultural exchange programmes,” Ajith said. The cost of the programme is somewhere near ` 50,000. Normally, it is from 6 pm to 8 pm that the programme would be organised. The time is selected as the performances like fire dance will get the impact only after nightfall. “The programme is rarely organised in halls and auditoriums. Lawns of resorts are the preferred venue,” said Kevin George Simon of Fairytales Weddings, Thiruvananthapuram.Welcoming the guests by men in the costumes of artistes of Kathakali and Mohiniyattom has also become a practice .
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