THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The documentary titled ‘Gurudakshina’ based on the life of Thiruvathirakali exponent Malati G. Menon, and the efforts she has taken to popularise Kerala’s own folk dance form has won the jury special award at the P J Antony National Short Film Festival organised by the ‘Part ONV Short Film festival’ held in Thrissur from June 17 to 19.
The function held at Sahitya Akademi Hall was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister V S Sunilkumar. Parvanendu School vice-president Dr Prema D Namboothiry said the documentary was a birthday gift for Malati Menon, who celebrated her 80th birthday this month.
The awards were distributed by film actor Vijayaraghavan. Vidhyadharan master presided and convener Chacko D Anthikad welcomed the gathering.
The documentary made by the Parvanendu School of Thiruvathira was written and directed by P S Rajeev, camera by Sabu Ezhikara and edited by Ranjith C Menon.
Malathi Menon, who was a Hindi teacher, started the ‘Parvanendu School of Thiruvathira’ in Ernakulam in 2009 to encourage the folk art form. Within a short time she won national attention by organising a Thiruvathirakali festival with the participation of 300 women, another with 3026 participants, which entered the Limca Book of Records, and a third one with 71 teams, that won India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records awards. She has also won several other recognitions, including the Kerala Folklore Award.