God’s own country

Jan. 20: The city will get a multi-coloured slice of the land of spice as the Greater Guwahati Kerala Samajam will celebrate 50 years of its existence at the District Library on Sunday.

The organisation, that aimed at bridging the chasm between the two states, was formed in 1962.

Mathulla was the founder president of the organisation.

The Samajam (society) is one of the oldest registered cultural organisations in the northeastern region.

“During the sixties, many Malayalis poured into the city and were employed in different organisations. The initiative was taken to form an association of Malayalis and promote cultural relations between Kerala and the state,” said the president of the society, K.C.S. Kurup.

It was, however, not a smooth ride for the society during the past five decades as it witnessed a split in the year 1982, leading to the formation of Guwahati Kerala Association.

At present, there are around 200 permanent members in the Greater Guwahati Kerala Samajam, working towards furthering friendly relations.

With the completion of 50 years, the organisation has chalked out a slew of developmental plans.

“We have proposed to set up an educational institute and a cultural centre to promote our state’s culture in Assam and the Northeast. Besides, we plan to set up a Kerala Ayurveda treatment centre,” Kurup added.

Vaaythari — a cultural trope of Kerala recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi — will be performing folk dances like theyyam, agni bhairavan and mudiyattam, giving an opportunity for a glimpse of the folklore.

“Vaaythari will present 16 items, comprising song, dance, music and drama, practised by different communities of Kerala. The folklore of different communities with their typical attire is beguiling. I believe the dance forms have some sort of similarities with the indigenous groups of the state,” he said.

The programme is supported by the cultural centre Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra and Song and Drama division of the Centre, North Eastern Regional Centre.

It will also present items like Xattriya dance, Dal Badli, Hajong, Tiwa dance, Bihu and also songs of the legendary balladeer Bhupen Hazarika.

Kurup said the initiatives to cement cultural relations between Assam and the land of coconut had in the past led to inviting eminent artistes from Kerala to present classical art forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, among others, in the city.

They had also taken troupes from the state to present various art forms, including song and dance, of the state in Kerala.