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Indian consulate to celebrate N-Day with the right 'moves'

Known as 'Ustavam 2015', the ninth edition of International Kathakali and Koodiyaattam Festival (IKKF) will be held from December 2 to 5 in Dubai. The four-day event will be held under the aegis of the Consulate General of India in Dubai at the Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein Theatre, Gems Wellington High School on Shaikh Zayed Road.
Organised by 'Traditions Live', IKKF will feature the classical art forms of the south Indian state of Kerala with much pomp and grandeur. Entry to the event is free.
Meera Sanal, Managing Director of Traditions Live, said: "We are proud to announce the ninth edition of 'Ustavam 2015'. Since its inception in 2006, the event has attracted a huge number of spectators and enthusiasts from the UAE and other Gulf countries.
This year, we have lined up about 35 acclaimed artistes from Kerala, considered to be doyens and virtuosos in their respective art forms.
Supported by artistes from the UAE, these veterans will be unveiling panoply of classical art forms such as Keli, Purappadu, Melappadam, Kathakali, Nangiarkoothu and Thaayampaka during these four days and for over 45 hours."
"In order to mitigate the esotericism of these arts and heighten their appreciation, selected artistes would be giving lectures and expatiate on the techniques and nuances of these art forms" she added.
"We believe that through Utsavam-IKKF, we will be able to enhance the cultural profile of Kerala and India with these classical art forms," Sanal further said in a Press release.
The highlights of the four-day programme include Kathakali attakathas (lyrical plays) written by Kottayam Thampuran; Nangiarkoothu, a solo act by women performers; Thaayampaka, an ensemble drums and cymbals performance; Purappad, the traditional curtain-raiser of Kathakali with four nokku (or curtain appearance); and Pathinja Keli, an innovation on the traditional percussive prelude conceived by acclaimed percussion artistes, Cherpulassery Sivan and Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar.
The artistes have been handpicked by the best exponents from the various schools of these arts.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com