Southern States - Kerala   

Vidyarambhom for foreigners

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA OCT. 15. The initiation of three foreign nationals into the world of Malayalam letters was the cynosure of

today's Vidyarambhom celebrations in the hill district of Pathanamthitta.

The venue was the Vijnana Kala Vedi (VKV), an institution for classical dance, music and native arts run by a French woman, Louba Schild, at Aranmula.

Annie Chartrain (58), a retired French teacher, Kai Lisa (22), a U.S. national settled in Japan who is also doing her research in music and Amandine Merlin (22) a medical student from the West Indies, were the three who were initiated into the Malayalam alphabet at the VKV today along with many tiny tots.

The VKV, a cultural institution recognised by the State departments of Cultural Affairs and Tourism, offers crash courses in over 12 native arts, classical music and dances under the guidance of veterans in the respective fields, says Ms. Schild.

A three-week awareness course in native medicine, intensive training courses in column writing, mural painting, Kalaripayattu, Kerala cooking, Kathakali make-up and wood carving are the main attractions at the VKV that celebrates Silver Jubilee this year.

A Pancharatna Kerthana Aradhana, classical dance by Lakshmi Suresh and Kakkarasi drama were held in the afternoon. The Mahatma Gandhi University School of Letters director, D. Vinayachandran, was the chief guest. The executive director of the Aranmula Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, P. N.,Suresh, also addressed the function.

Earlier, the former director of the Kerala Folklore Academy G.Bhargavan Pillai took a class on the Kakkarasi drama.

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