THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With an aim to nurture budding artists and to enhance the cultural economy of the state, the Cultural Affairs Department has decided to extend the ambit of its flagship initiative ‘Diamond Jubilee Fellowship for Aspiring Artists’. By adding Tholpavakoothu, Kakkarissi Natakam, Kathaprasangam and Magic, the department has increased the art forms eligible for fellowships from 29 to 33.The government unveiled a fellowship programme for young artists with an outlay of ` 13.50 crore last year as part of commemorating the state’s diamond jubilee celebrations.
“The decision to include four art forms follows after a request from the Directorate of Culture. Due to new entrants, it has also been decided to rearrange the fellowships for the 29 art forms,” said an officer of the Cultural Affairs Department.
While 10 fellowships each will be given to folk-arts such as Tholpavakoothu and Kakkarissi Natakam, 20 fellowships each will be provided to performing arts like Kathaprasangam and Magic.Due to a dearth of artists who have gained expertise in folklore art forms such as Kanyarkali, Mudiyettu, Theyyam/Thira and others by following the traditional gurukula system, the department has decided to increase the age limit for selection of artists for fellowships under the folklore category from 35 years to 40 years.
“The two-year fellowship is not only meant for students studying from Class V to IX but also for students studying in Class XI. A total of 1,000 fellowships will be provided to the 33 art forms, which has been classified as classical arts, performing arts, fine arts and folklore arts.“Those who will be selected for the fellowship will be provided with a monthly assistance of `10,000 via the direct benefit transfer system,” the officer said.
According to the department, the applications for the fellowships will be invited via online and the selection of candidates will be carried out with the help of bodies like Kerala Kalamandalam.Those who were selected for fellowships will be trained at the Thrissur-based Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Thiruvananthapuram-based Institute of Management in Government and others.
It is said that the local self-government bodies, government and aided schools and cultural organisations across the state will not only host the artists but will also provide infrastructural facilities to train the students.
Enhancing culture
Scope of the Cultural Affairs Department’s ‘Diamond Jubilee Fellowship for Aspiring Artists’ widened
Art forms eligible for fellowships increased from 29 to 33
New entrants include Tholpavakoothu, Kakkarissi Natakam, Kathaprasangam and Magic
Total number of fellowships to be provided is 1,000
Fellowships to be provided under, classical arts is 350; performing arts - 140; fine arts - 245 and folk arts - 265
The list comprises six classical arts, three performing arts, seven fine arts and 17 folk arts.