Chief Guests
Dr Rajasekharan is an eminent scholar, literary critic, historian, orator, newspaper editor, teacher, and writer. He was a news editor in the Mathrubhumi daily before resigning from the past recently to concentrate on his other fields of work. He has written several books- Pithrukhadikaram, Ekanthanagarangal, Vaakkinte Moonnamkara and Kathantharangal, to name a few. He has won awards including the Kerala Sahithya Academy award, Vilasini award and Thoppil Ravi award.
Smt. Gopika Varma is a renowned Mohiniyattam dancer, who has been a disciple of Smt. Girija, Smt. Chandrika Kurup. She took higher training in the dance form from maestros such as Smt. Kalamandalam Kalyanikkuttiyamma, her daughter Smt. Sreedevi Rajan, Sri Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. She has mastered the Sopanam style of performance from Sri Kavalam Narayanapanicker. She has performed in numerous stages in India and abroad. She has received several awards, Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Kaladarpanam award, Nritha Choodamani from the Nrithaganasabha to name a few. Smt Gopika Varma will be doing a Mohiniyattam performance on the Annual Day.
The programmes presented on the Day
- Dasyam - A full length thematic presentation of Mohiniyattam by the Chief Guest Kalaimamani Smt Gopika Varma, in which the dancer portrayed the various stories of Lord Krishna. She presented the stories of Vilwamangalam Swamiyar and the old Kurooramma, amongst others and told how the Lord himself did “Dasyam” or servitude to his devotees.
- Darghas athava Tender (Drama): A political satire, which explored the possibility of a Mughal emperor coming alive in the 21st Century and planning to construct a monument in memory of his late wife. It dealt with his interactions and difficulties in dealing with the corrupt and incompetent bureaucratic machinery in the present time.
- Kapiccino: A Musical programme with a difference. Sruthi orchestra presents a musical voyage that combines the best of West, East, North and South to culminate in the rich flavours of Kerala.
- Abhimukham: Interview with the Chief Guest Sri P K Rajasekharan. Sruthi members Sojan Vasudevan and Lakshmi Renjeev spoke to the Chief Guest on stage and explored his ideas and thoughts about the cultural history of Kerala and beyond.
- Kavithayanam: Dance-Drama. A magical journey through the history of Poetry in Kerala from the time of Sangha period, until the recent times. Important literary works in different periods were showcased in the form of dance, music and drama. This was a huge project, probably the first of its kind in the world, and involved participation of over 60 artists
