Shri Kadakampalli Surendran, Hon’ble Minister for Co-operation,Tourism and Devaswom,
Dr. Sashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament,
Shri K. Muraleedharan, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Adv. V.K. Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation,
Shri V.K. Madhu, President, District Panchayat,
Shri M. Vijayakumar, Chairman, KTDC,
Shri Palayam Rajan, Councillor,
Smt. Rani George, Secretary, Tourism and Culture,
Shri. P. Bala Kiran IAS, Director, Tourism,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to inaugurate the Nishagandhi Dance Festival 2019, organized by the Department of Tourism and to present this year's Nishagandhi Puraskaram to
Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, renowned exponent of Mohiniyattam.
Let me at the outset, congratulate Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavathy on being chosen for this award, which in the previous years had been conferred on illustrious artistes like Smt. Mrinalini Sarabhai, Vidushi Lalith Rao, Dr. Padma Subramanyam, Shri Ilayaraja, Smt. Bharati Shivaji and
Smt. and Shri Dhananjayan.
Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, who is currently one of the leading artistes in Mohiniyattam, has also excelled in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. I have heard that years ago, as a 11 year old girl, she enthralled the renowned poet Vallathol Narayana Menon by beautifully enacting Kaaliya Mardanam to secure admission to Kalamandalam. And most befittingly, she chose his poem for her first solo rendition of Mohiniyattam at the Vallathol Centenary in Delhi. Today, this gifted artiste has expressed through dance, nearly 100 poems and scenes from classics in Malayalam. It is not surprising that she has been honoured with significant laurels including the Padma Shri and the Nritya Natya Puraskar.
The stellar performances of Smt.Kalamandalam Kshemavathyhave charmed audiences across the world right from her first rendition at the World Youth Festival of Berlin in 1973. Over the years, her matchless talent and pious dedication to dance have transformed her to a respected Guru, honoured by governments, cultural forums and hundreds of disciples.
I am certain that this award would be special to her, since it comes from the land of Malayalam. The jury deserves praise for the most appropriate selection of the awardee. The Department of Tourism also deserves appreciation for instituting this award which conveys Kerala's high respect for art and artistes.
The Nishagandhi Festival, which began as a marketing tool for Tourism in Kerala, has evolved over the years to be globally known as the hallmark of Kerala's commitment to the promotion of arts. That it took very little time for Nishagandhi Dance Festival to be considered at par with events like Konark Dance Festival, Khajuraho Dance Festival etc., reflects the quality of the performances and the stature of the participants.
All over the world, art forms have helped to promote tourism, since dance and music are known to enthrall tourists. This trend has also helped many rare and disappearing art forms to survive. While classical art forms have gained larger acceptance among the tourists, the folk arts and artistes remain relatively ignored. I think we should also strengthen the activities to promote folk arts, so as to encourage and support the artistes who may be struggling due to lack of opportunities.
I am informed that this year's Nishagandhi Dance Festival would delight art lovers with performances by the best dancers of Mohiniyaattam, Bharathanaatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, kathak, Manipuri and Sathriya. Giving an opportunity to Classical arts of Kerala like Kathakali, Koodiyaattam and Koothu would certainly help young people to know these art forms better.
While complimenting the State Government for promoting art and culture by organizing such cultural feasts, I would also suggest that such programmes be used to foster a sense of unity which would call society’s attention to the rebuilding of Kerala. Art has the capacity to pacify our minds and to unite us through a better consciousness of our culture, our values, beliefs and the dreams we all share about a prosperous and advanced Kerala. May the performances in this festival of dance strengthen our unity to move forward in regaining the prosperity that the recent floods took away from us.
I greet all the noted artistes who have come to perform in this Festival of Dance and wish them all the best. And, to this august audience of art lovers, I convey my appreciation for the genuine interest you have been taking in making this festival a success, year after year.
I also compliment the organizers, the Tourism Department and particularly Minister Shri Kadakampally Surendran for organizing this Festival in a manner befitting the global image of our State.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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