The state will pay tributes to Chinnathambi Annavi, the 16th century founder of Central Kerala’s dance drama form ‘Chavittu Nadakam’, when his first-ever statue will be unveiled near here on Monday.
Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K V Thomas will unveil the statue, set up as part of the unique public statue initiative of the first Kochi-Muziris Biennale at a function to be held in the courtyard of Holy Cross Church in Kadalvathuruth on Gothuruthu Island, near Paravur.
The 11-metre tall cement statue made by Thrissur-based sculptor Anto K George will be dedicated to ‘Chavittu Nadakam’ enthusiasts, when the current edition of the annual ‘Chavittu Nadakam’ festival ‘Chuvadi’’ organised by the Sports and Arts Club of the island concludes.
The work of the statue which commenced as a prelude to the first edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in October 2012 got delayed due to the financial constraints that hit the Biennale.
The statue was completed with the support extended by Union Minister K V Thomas nine months after the maiden Biennale ended.
The sculptor had no documents or any portraits of the maestro for reference when he took up the task. But the numerous legends about the maestro who popularised the dance form formed the basis of his work.
The artist was also inspired by the stories about Annavi narrated by Chavittu Nadakam artistes across the state’s coastal belt from Kollam to Kodungallur over the past several decades. They had also recalled that Annavi had stayed in Kochi, Kodungallur and Gothuruthu Island as part of his efforts to popularise ‘Chavittu Nadakam’.
George has recreated the legendary figure as the knightly protagonist of the ‘Chavittu Nadakam’ piece, ‘Karalman Charitham’ (the story of Emperor Charlemagne aka Charles the Great) authored by Annavi which to date is the most popular theatrical piece in the ‘Chavittu Nadakam’ ensemble.
The five-day ‘Chuvadi’ fest commenced with the staging of ‘Yakobinte Makkal’ by Gothurthu Yuvajana Chavittunadaka Kala Samithi on Thursday. On Friday, Chaithanya Theatres, Thuruthipuram will perform Oedipus followed by ‘Njana Sundari’ by Navaratna Kala Samskarika Vedi, Thuruthipuram on Saturday.
Veerakumaran by Yuvakerala Kalasamithi, Kurumbuthuruthu, will be staged on Sunday.
On the final day of the fest on Monday, Gothuruthu Kerala Chavittu Nadaka Academy’s ‘Parimarude Maranam’ will be staged.