Kerala State launched Virasat 2011  last month with a series of 23 prog of Gotipua by Konarak Natya Mandap . This was followed by Ottamtullal circuit by Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan who performed and won many hearts in the National Conv  Cuttack.  We also arranged a special workshop on Ottamtullal where 30  students from different schools participated.  In the workshop the students were told about the art form of Ottamtullal, how it has evolved over the last few decades, the importance of mime/music/dance/theatre etc in this particular folk art of Kerala.   This workshop was followed by a prog and the students were able to appreciate the art .

Kathakali by Kalamandalam Kuttan Asan was held in Aug  at & places   During the circuit new SPIC MACAY  chapters/sub chapters were formed at four places i.e Amrita Arts College, Sanskrit College  etc etc  and it was for the first time such prog were held.  These chapters have evinced keen interest to make SPIC MACAY progammes an integral part of their academic sojourn .   We had also invited some of the leading opinion makers of the area for the inauguration of the chapters and gave wide press coverage

We have now planned a circuit of carnatic flute  from 22 Aug 11 to 27 Aug  11 by SNA Yuv Puraskar Awardee  Shri Mysore Chandan Kumar who is from the stable of one of the most distinguished music families of India — he is the grand son of Violin maestro Mysore Chowdia .   The prog are  to be held at prestigious venues like IIM Calicut,  NIIT Calicut, Naval Academy School Cochin , etc etc.

Future prog  include Raj Folk ( sufi folk) by Ustad Zamil Khan of Barmer, Art workshop of master crafts people of Gonda (Tribal art of MP)   Pattachitra painting of Orissa, Inlaid work crafts of North India etc etc etc.   Virasat will also feature Satriya Dance, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Hindiustan Vocal,  Carnatic Instrument like Nadaswaram and Veena ,  Manipuri Dance etc etc

Kerala State chapter has plans to cover all the 14 Districts of Kerala and bring under the SPIC MACAY coverage many govt schools, kendriya vidyalas, JNV schools, private schools as well as more colleges  .  We have already approached the State Govt for including SPIC MACAY  programmes in all the Madyamik Schools of Kerala with special funding by the State Govt.   A detailed report of last years activity of SPIC MACAY  has been sent to Governor , Chief Ministers, top IAS officers of Govt and to all District Collectors of Kerala.   Our Resource Centre is given a very ambitious target of qualitative programmes which aims to multiply our number of activities during this academic season.

Panchamakesan.

Central Coordinator