KOCHI: After a makeover, Jose Thomas Performing Art Centre (JTpac) will be open to the public on Monday with ‘Sangamam’, conceived and directed by Soorya Krishnamoorthy.
'Sangamam', as the name implies, is a convergence of traditional and contemporary arts. It will feature more than 150 artists performing music and dance showcasing a cross-section of India’s rich cultural heritage. This spectacular show is a fusion of several Indian classical instruments.
Many world-renowned artists like Hariprasad Chaurasya, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Sivakumar Sharma, Hariharan, Sivamani and Pankaj Udhas have performed at the JTpac.
Shobhana’s dance programme, Mayaravan, and Mohanlal’s ‘Chayamukhi’ created ripples in the minds of theatre buffs. “JTpac has now been remodelled with a better stage and ambience. We are ready to host more world class performances by bringing distinguished performing artists from all over the world,” said Jose Thomas, the brain behind this unique art concept.
The most appreciable step taken by JTpac, a joint venture by Jose Thomas and actor Mohanlal, is the helping hand extended to neglected traditional artists of Kerala who perform various art forms like Sopana Sangeetham and Poorakkali , and other ritualistic art forms.
JTpac introduced a fellowship exclusively to encourage traditional performing arts and support artists who have dedicated their life to preserving and propagating performing arts. Last year the organisation honoured 17 performing artists with fellowships.
Beside this bold step, the organisers have included traditional art forms as a prelude theatre before the staging of every programme here.
Artists like Thrikkamburam Krishnankutty Marar, Janardhanan Nedungadi, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar and others were selected for the fellowships.