Kalamandalam Marks July 31 as World Kutiyattam Day in Tribute to Painkulam Rama Chakyar

ANY mention of Kutiyattam, a classical art form with a history of thousands of years, would bring to one's mind the name Painkulam Rama Chakyar, the legendary artist who popularised the art form across the world.

- GOPIKA VARRIER @Thrissur

His contributions in saving the art form from extinction, by breaking taboos and taking it out of temples to ordinary people, have won wide acclaim. Now, after 45 years of his passing, Kerala Kalamandalam has announced July 31 as World Kutiyattam Day, commemorating the visionary.

Kerala Kalamandalam has been organising a five-day-long International Kutiyattam Festival (IKF) as a part of celebrating 65 years of its Kutiyattam department. On Thursday, the festival witnessed two rare moments—the announcement of World Kutiyattam Day and the retirement of Kalamandalam Sivan Namboothiri, first non-Chakyar Kutiyattam performer in Kerala, from the art stage.