The festival of folk and traditional performing arts of Kerala, also incorporating a seminar, was organized in collaboration with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Thrissur. It was held from 20 to 26 February 2007 at the Kalithatt Campus of Kerala Sangeetha
Nataka Akademi and was inaugurated by Shri M.A. Babu, Hon'ble Minister of Education and Culture, Governemnt of Kerala. Shri Ram Niwas Mirdha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, was the chief guest and Shri Kavalam Narayana Panikkar, Vice-
Chairman of the Akademi, was the Guest of Honour.

The week-long festival had two sessions each day. The morning sessions were set apart for the seminar. Scholars from the State presented their papers and explained the historical background of traditional art forms with demonstrations and technical details.
The evenings were devoted to performances. Nearly two hundred artists participated in the festival.

Dr N.K. Jain from Delhi, Dr M.M. Mathur from Jodhpur, Shri D.N.Pattanaik from Bhubaneswar, and Shri G.S. Channi from Chandigarh were among the experts invited from outside the State to share their experiences with local artists and observers. The
programme follows:

Performance Venue: Kalithath Campus
20 February

Pulkkali, Kummatty (Procession), Irulu Dance, Chimmanakali,
Poothavum Thirrayum, Kudachozhi, Darikavadham, Kalakali,
Mutyattam, Gaddhika and Mudiyettu.

22 February

Charaduppinnikaly, Thidambunritham, Nerchakottukali,
Kolkali, Mappilapatty, Monthayumthallavum Kally, Kanyarkali,
Kooli, Gulikanthira (Theyyam), Kolkali, Monthyyum
Kollattavum, Kollattakally, Kuthirakolam, Chvittukali,
Kurudhiripodhi, Mappilappattu, Chavittukali, Kali (Malayan
Kettu) and Dharikan (Malayankettu).

23 February

Devamvili, Kmbukali, Poorakali, Malaykooliattam,
Marathukkali, Paliya Parambaragatha Nritham, Bhagwati Pattu
& Koothakolam, Kurumedalali or Kurumarute Kolkali,
Malankuthu, Purattunatakam and Yakshagana.

24 February

Vanzhipattu, Karingaliattam, Vellattan Pattu, Ammananathavum
& Nokuvidhyum, Onam Thullal, Mudiettam,
Chakramchavithupattu, Gandharva Pattu, Kutiyattam, Pattupatu
and Chavittunatakam.

25 February

Ezheripattu, Kethrattam, Kurumbanutham, Chonankali,
Kmbadikali, Thoongimuthan, Mayilattakkali, Kalyam
Darikanum, Arayirathal, Sarppapatu (Pulluvaveena Pullura
Kudam), Thiriyuzhichil, Irula Nritham, Muduganritham,
Harischandrakoothu and Amman Kudam.

26 February

Mudiyottapattu, Pakkanar Vadhyam, Maram Kattu Pattu,
Vattomudi, Cheruneeliyattan, Kavadiyattam, Pana, Kolam
Thullal, Pooppada, Neelamkali, Sankaranayadi, Mundyan
Mookkan Chattan Bhagavath, Villinmel Thayambaka Villabow,
Kuthirakali, Chozhinatakam, Gap Filter, Kudakuthikkali,
Theekkalam, Ghandakaman, and Padayani.

Seminar Venue: Pathi
22 February

Paper on Nadan Kalaum Paristhithium by Dr Radhavan
Payyanad; participants: E. Unni Krishnan & Kumaran Vayaleri.

23 February 2007

Paper on The Politics of Ritual Performance by Dr A.K.
Nambiyar; lecture-demonstration: Madhav Panikkar on
Marathukali.

24 February 2007

Discussion on Changing Culture and Tribal Lore; participants:
Shri V.D. Prem Prasad, Prof. Chandradasan and Dr K.D.Dileep
Kumar; paper on Marunna Samsarikataum-Gothra Kalakulum
by Prof. N.R. Gram Prakash.

25 February 2007

Discussion on Folk Art and Cultural Studies; participants: Shri
Vijaya Kumar Menon and Shri H.K. Santosh; lecture-
demonstration: Mudeiettu by Shri Keezhillam Unnikrishnan.