THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On regular days it's a patch of road that connects two traffic arteries. But at times, it transforms into a cultural nucleus throbbing with art and creativity.
An aesthetic canvas so varied and rich, Manaveeyam Veedhi has seen umpteen performances and social dialogues.
There has been rock bands and theyyams, magic shows and lit fests, street theatre and queer pride events - all making it city's lone open space celebrating artistic plurality. The street switched to a hub of culturally-inclined crowd in early 2001 and this week it turns 16.
It was during his European stint that D Raghuthaman, founder of Abhinaya theatre group, came across the street buzzing with creative arts. “There were groups and individuals performing on open spaces patronised by art enthusiasts.
When I returned I started looking for a similar space and shared this concept with many art patrons like Soorya Krishnamoorthy. Later, it was included in the Manaveeyam project and in 2001 Abhinaya started performances on the street,” Raghuthaman says.
Later Manaveeyam Theruvorakoottam, a forum of various cultural organisations, was formed making the street an axis of many art initiatives. “When it was started I went around the city inviting poets, artists, sculptors and musicians. In the beginning they were very apprehensive, but now it has become an accredited cultural space,” he says.
'It's our edam'
The street is also a space for social engagement as many women collectives gather there on a regular basis. “We planted a Neermathalam in memory of Kamala Das on the street. We used to gather around it for debates and discussions. It was our attempt to claim an urban public space for women,” says K A Beena, writer.
Every third Friday women from various walks of life come there and engage in various artistic and literary activities.
“Our group is called Idam and we found our idam (space) at Manaveeyam road. We could convert it to a warm meeting point where women can gather and conduct talks and events. Women writers in the city do regular reading sessions there,” she says.
In the last budget, an amount of `50 lakh was earmarked for the cultural activities in Manaveeyam Veedhi and earlier an architectural plan to develop the space as part of the Smart City project was submitted by the Theruvorakoottam members.
“Major changes recommended in the plan are toilets for transgenders and physically challenged, storage space for light and sound equipment, a permannent open stage, art gallery, space for kids and senior citizen and a coffee shop,” says Raghuthaman.
'It's our cultural corner'
Poet and activist Sugathakumari says it's a space evolved out of the need for a cultural corner. “In all big cities in the world you will find such spaces. At Paris there are open galleries and vast stretches where artists paint and exhibit their work, there are also streets for musicians and performing artists.
It was former minister M A Baby who provided the official support and named the street Manaveeyam.” She says the only demand of art-lovers in the city is the road should be closed on Sundays. “It's usually used as a parking lot.
But on Sundays we want the road free and blocking it will in no way affect the traffic too. Last time there was a programme on World Autism Day and the mothers had a hard time taking care of the kids with vehicles plying all around.
And also, basic facilities should be provided for the people who gather there. We want a cafe, toilet and garbage bins so the place is kept clean,” she says.