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Urumi blades and the thunderous rhythms of Kalaripayattu erstwhile again reverberate crossed Ponnyam successful Kannur territory arsenic the 11th variation of Ponnyathankam transforms the historical Ezharakkandam into a vibrant arena of martial valour and taste celebration.
The week-long festival is jointly organised by the Kerala Folklore Academy, Kathirur panchayat and Pattiyam Gopalan Memorial Library, Pulloody. What began successful 2015 arsenic a humble Kalari objection by a section speechmaking country has since evolved into 1 of the largest martial arts congregations successful the region, drafting participants from crossed India and abroad.
Large crowds person thronged the venue successful a festive spirit, witnessing aggravated Kalaripayattu duels alongside a affluent taste showcase. Practitioners from crossed Kerala person stepped into the ‘angathatt’ to contiguous divers grooming techniques from some the bluish and confederate traditions.
Rare opportunity
Each evening unfolds with electrifying leaps, intricate limb displays, rigorous drills and synchronised combat routines, offering the nationalist a uncommon accidental to acquisition divers Payyitta styles connected a azygous platform. The festival besides provides a forum for discussions connected the doctrine and improvement of Kalaripayattu.
Kalaripayattu being performed during the 11th variation of Ponnyathankam, organised by the Kerala Folklore Academy, Kathirur grama panchayat and Pattiyam Gopalan Memorial Library, Pulloody, astatine Kathirur successful Kannur. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Following the inauguration connected Monday, assorted Kalari groups staged demonstrations. According to the organisers, 24 Kalari groups are participating successful the festival, including teams from Delhi and Dubai. A radical from the Meitei assemblage successful Manipur is besides showcasing its martial creation traditions during the seven-day event. Special stalls featuring artists from Bengal and Bihar person been acceptable up, and homestay facilities person besides been arranged for visitors.
Each evening from 7.30 p.m., antithetic Kalari groups execute alongside people competitions specified arsenic Thiruvathirakali, people dance, Kolkali, Oppana and Duff Muttu. Martial creation forms from different regions are besides presented. Live performances by Vidhu Prathap, Naresh Iyer, Sachin Warrier, Libin Scaria, Ramya Nambeesan, Prajin Prathap, Harishankar and Gowry Lakshmi adhd to the festive spirit.
QR code
To fortify tourism outreach, organisers person introduced a QR code-based registration strategy astatine the venue. Visitors tin scan and registry to entree videos and photographs related to Ponnyathankam and the Thalassery practice tourism project, providing instant integer entree to accusation connected practice centres and activities successful the region.
The week-long martial practice festival was inaugurated by Assembly Speaker A. N. Shamseer astatine Ezharakkandam connected Monday. Describing Ponnyathankam arsenic a festival that has grown to summation planetary attention, helium said that a projected Kalari Academy in Ponnyam would importantly lend to the region’s wide development. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kannur Range, Yathish Chandra performed the flag-hoisting ceremony. Kathirur grama panchayat president P.P. Sujaya presided implicit the function.
