PRESS RELEASE No. 3

19 January 2006

 

 

INDIAN DANCE PERFORMANCE IN EGYPT

 

 

Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, Embassy of India, Cairo, in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, ARE, is organsising Kalaripayattu dance performances in Egypt.

 

Well known group of Kalaripayattu performers from India will be participating in this event. The performance will be held at: Al Gomhuria Theatre, Cairo on January 28, Alexandria Opera House, Sayed Darwish Theatre on January 29, Mubarak Cultural Complex, Damanhour on January 31; and Cultural Palace Damietta on February 2.  Performances will start at 7.00 pm at all places.

 

Entries to all shows are free and invitation cards are made available at Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, 23, Talat Harb Street, Downtown, Cairo. Tel: 393396/3960071.

 

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A brief note on Kalaripayattu

 Kalaripayattu, as the name suggests, is an “art of martial combat.” Legend says that it originated more than 3000 years ago in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is inspired by the wild power and sinuous strength of the majestic animal forms - lion, tiger, elephant, wild boar, snake and crocodile, etc. This art form laid down the combat code for the ancient Indian dynasties of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas from 11th -13th century. Absence of patronage, and modern mechanized warfare temporarily stripped Kalaripayattu of its significance and vitality. But in independent India, the art from is being revived to showcase the glory of this ancient Indian art, which according to many historians, inspired modern martial art forms, such as;  judo, karate and kung fu.  

-There are two schools of Kalaripayattu:

  1. The northern – Vadakkan style is popular in the state of Kerala. It lays more emphasis on elaborate, graceful body movements, and use of weapons like swords, daggers, maces and knives.

  2. The southern – Thekken style is more popular in the state of Tamil Nadu. It lays more emphasis on rapid, powerful swings of body parts and less on weapons.

A student of Kalaripayattu is initiated into the learning process at a tender age of seven years by the master and undergoes four stages of learning:

  1. Meythari - The novice masters the dexterities of twists, stances, complex jumps, and turns;

  2. Kolthari - The student is trained in the craft of fighting with long wooden weapons;

  3. Ankathari – After the practitioner has gained confidence with all the wooden weapons, he/she is introduced to metal weapons, which require superior concentration due to the lethal nature of such weapons;

  4. Verumkai - Only after achieving mastery with all weapon forms is the practitioner taught to defend his/her person with bare-handed techniques. These include strikes to vital pressure points of the body, grapples, and arm locks.

 This enthralling, martial art is traditionally performed on a 4-6 feet high stage called Ankakalari.

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