Immerse yourself in this 18th century poetry performance from Kerala in Mumbai

At this festival, immerse yourself in an 18th century poetry performance tradition from Kerala that employs satire for social criticism

In its 30-year-long journey, Keli, a Mumbai-based cultural organisation, has strived to curate performances that go beyond entertainment. An art form’s cultural politics is intrinsically linked to social politics, they believe. Take for instance, their upcoming showcase at the Keli Poetry Performance Festival 2022-23 — thullal. The poetry performance tradition from Kerala was conceptualised by 18th century poet Kunchan Nambiar. 

“In those days, artistic journey was a privilege of the upper castes. Nambiar, who used to play the mizhavu drum, fell asleep during a chakyar koothu performance. The chakyar, a representative of the upper caste, ridiculed him on stage. This prompted Nambiar to create another performing art form — thullal — to break upper caste monopoly,” explains artistic director and project coordinator Ramachandran K. The two-day presentation will feature performances by Kalamandalam Sharmila and group (ottan thullal) and Kalamandalam Preeja and group (sheethankan thullal).

Kalamandalam Preeja

The festival is a part of Keli’s year-long programming to mark its three-decade journey. Through thullal, Ramachandran explains, Nambiar sought to use satire and poetry to subvert upper caste practices and critique the society. “For instance, instead of the elaborate costumes used in kathakali, Nambiar opted for kacha, or the ancient avatar of the undergarment used by Brahmins, as the costume for thullal,” he elaborates. The performances feature the singer-dancer-actor performing to the rhythm of the mridangam and cymbals; there’s also a member who assists with the singing. 

The shows at the Keli festival will put the spotlight on two women thullal artistes, who are among the most distinguished in the country. Women performers started emerging as late as in the 1950s, reveals Ramachandran. Kalamandalam Sharmila, who started learning the art when she was 13, explains that thullal requires the performer to tackle multiple aspects — singing, enacting poetry, and interacting with the audience — at once. This sets it apart from other art forms.

Ramachandran K

While thullal performances traditionally draw from mythological tales, the art form has also given birth to stories addressing contemporary issues such as the freedom movement, family planning, the Emergency, Ayurveda medication, among others. “We still use the same texts from the 18th century, but new texts have been emerging, too. I have written three plays with a focus on the role of women and their struggles in society. But the subjects in Nambiar’s plays continue to be relevant,” she signs off.

On: December 31, 6.30 pm; January 1, 7.30 pm
At: Terna Auditorium, Nerul; Kashinath Ghanekar Auditorium, Thane
Call: 9820835737

With inputs by Shriram Iyengar

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