Date:13/06/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/06/13/stories/2009061359280200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Minister to open Folklore Theatre

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Minister for Home and Tourism, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, will open the Folklore Cultural Theatre set up by the Cochin Heritage Conservation Society with the assistance of the State Tourism Department in Fort Kochi at a function on Saturday at 2.30 p.m. District Collector M. Beena announced this at a press conference here on Friday. V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, MLA, will preside. Dinesh Mani, MLA, and Mayor Mercy Williams will also be present. Kalamandalam’s ‘Geethopadesham Kathakali’ will mark the opening ceremony.

The theatre is part of the endeavour of the tourism department to rejuvenate traditional art forms at a time when they are on the verge of being extinct. It will stage arts forms including Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Kalaripayattu, Ottanthullal, Chakyarkoothu, Nangyarkoothu, and folk songs.

An understanding had been reached with institutions like Kalamandalam for the functioning of the theatre, Dr. Beena said. Besides, local cultural organisations will also be given opportunities to stage their performances in the theatre. Performances will be staged daily at 6 p.m.

The fully air-conditioned and digitised theatre has a seating capacity for 70. The interior of the theatre has been designed in such a way as to evoke the feeling of a gathering of family members in front of the house under a star-lit sky to enjoy a performance of Kathakali. The theatre set up at a cost of Rs. 23 lakh gives the impression of a traditional Kerala household complete with the padipura and traditional lamps. Architect Jabin L. Zechariahs designed the theatre.