MUDRA – The language of dance and theatre in Kerala

Colloquium, Exhibition, Demonstrations, Film Screenings and Performances 

Celebrating 50 years of dance and theatre notation by G Venu

on 23,24,25 October 2015 at Natanakairali, Irinjalakuda

with assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India

Programme

23rd Oct 

10 am – Opening session

Welcome address – Kapila Venu

Exhibition on Notation of Mudra-s by G Venu inaugurated by Renu Ramanath

Colloquium

‘My journey through Mudra and Notation’ –  presentation by G Venu – Today’s topic ‘The evolution of a system of Notation’

‘Hasthalakshanadeepika in Mohiniyattam’ – Lecture-Demonstration by Nirmala Paniker

‘Mudra- The language of Indian dance’ – Presentation by Sreelakshmy Govardhanan

‘Mudra – In the contexts of traditional and contemporary theatres’ – Presentation by Sankar Venkateswaran

4 pm – Film Screening

Screening of ‘KAPILA’ which won the National Award from the Govt. of India for best film on Culture, 2014 directed by Sanju Surendran. The film will be introduced by the director.

5.30 pm – Book release function

Welcome address – G Venu

Chairperson – Prof.George S Paul

Inauguration – Govt. of Kerala Chief VIP Adv.Thomas Unniadan MLA

Adv.Thomas Unniadan releases the book ‘Mudra- The language of dance and theatre in Kerala’ by handing a copy to Shri E K Keshavan (Secretary, Thapasya – Kalasahityavedi Irinjalakuda)

Felicitation – Shri Agnisharman

Vote of Thanks – Smt.Nirmala Paniker

7 pm Performance

Mohiniyattam Recital by Sandra Radhakrishnan and Parvathy Sreevallabhan (disciples of Guru Nirmala Paniker, Natanakaisiki)

24th Oct

10 am – Morning Session

Welcome address – Pothiyil Renjith Chakyar

Chairperson – Pothiyil Naranayana Chakyar, Palakkad

Inaugaration – Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar

Felicitation – M K Devarajan

Colloquium

‘My journey through Mudra and Notation’ –  presentation by G Venu – Today’s topic ’Notating the hand gestures of Mohiniyattam’

‘Symbolism in dance notation’ – Talk by Surendran Chembukkad

Vote of thanks – Parvathy Sreevallabhan

4 pm – Film screening

1. Selected portions of Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar’s abhinaya filmed in 1979 for a documentary that is yet to be released
2. Documentary on Mani Madhava Chakyar made by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi

7 pm – Performance

Shankaracharya’s Saudaryalahari in Nangiar Koothu

Performed by Kapila Venu

Choregraphed by G Venu

25th Oct

10 am – Morning Session

Welcome address – Kalamandalam Rajeev

Chairperson – Remesan Nambisan

Inaugaration – Guru Padmabhooshan Madavoor Vasudevan Nair

Colloquium

‘Mudrabhinaya in the tradition of Guru Chengannoor Raman Pillai’ Talk by Guru Padmabhooshan Madavoor Vasudevan Nair

‘My journey through Mudra and Notation’ –  presentation by G Venu – Today’s topic ’Memorable experiences while notating Ramayana Samkshepam’

“Hastabhinaya in Natyashastra’ – Talk by C P Unnikrishnan

‘The evolution of the purity of technique in Kathakali’ – Talk by Sreechitran M J

Vote of thanks – Kalamandalam K P Narayanan Nambiar

4 pm Film Screening

1. ‘Dancing with the Gurus’ – a film on Ammannur Madhava Chakyar by Aruna Harprasad
2. Selected scenes from Kutiyattam performances filmed in 1973 by Prajna Thakur

7 pm – Performance

Kathakali – Banayudham by Guru Madavoor Vasudevan Nair and group