KOCHI: In October, 16-year-old Sabri scripted history by becoming the first Muslim girl to perform kathakali at Kalamandalam.
On December 27, Fathima Isthik, another Muslim woman broke the barriers of religion as she sang a verse from the kathakali play ‘Lavanasura Vadham’ at the Porur Siva temple in Malappuram district. If anything, these women are building bridges through art.
As Fathima sang the verse ‘Sukhamo Devi...’ in front of a gathering of kathakali enthusiasts, the audience was reminded of the late Kalamandalam Hyderali, the versatile kathakali musician who was known for his modulations that conveyed the emotional depth of the scene. The verse she sang represented the emotional moment when Hanuman met Sita, years after she was abandoned by Rama, at the hermitage of Valmiki.
Born into an orthodox Muslim family at Vaniyambalam in Malappuram district, Fathima had an innate sense of music and participated in light music competitions during her school days.
“It was Rasheeda teacher of WIC School in Vandoor who told me that my song matches kathakali recital,” Fathima told TNIE.
“I was studying in Class 9 at the time. She introduced me to my guru, Deepa Palanad, who trained me in kathakali sangeetham. I was able to compete in the state school youth festival in 2016 under her training.”
After completing Class 12, she joined the BA Music course at Maharaja’s College and later earned her master’s in music.
“Though I have studied Carnatic music, I like kathakali sangeetham, melodies, and folk music,” she said.
It was her performance at a competition at Kalamandalam last year that made her voice famous among kathakali aficionados.
Fathima’s blessed voice has helped her earn a huge fan following on social media, which prompted the Porur Siva temple authorities to invite her for a performance.
“It was a rare honour. I haven’t had an opportunity to sing live for a kathakali performance. I’m planning to sing for a performance at the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in Thrissur during Women’s Day in March. My husband Naji Raheem works as a civil engineer in Dubai. He supports me and encourages to pursue music as a profession. I will be performing kathakali sangeetham at the Changampuzha Cultural Centre in Kochi on January 5,” Fathima said.
Though Muslim artists face restrictions from the community, it was the firm support of her father Isthikarudheen, a school teacher, that inspired Fathima to chase her dream.