Kerala will pay tributes to Chinnathambi Annavi, 16th century founder of Central Kerala's dance drama 'Chavittu Nadakam', when his first-ever statue initiated as part of the maiden Kochi-Muziris biennale will be unveiled near here on December 30.
Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, K V Thomas, will unveil the statue at a function to be held in the courtyard of Holy Cross Church in Kadalvathuruth on Gothuruthu Island.
The project was launched as part of the first Biennale's unique public statue mission. The 11 metre tall cement statue will be dedicated to Chavittu Nadakam enthusiasts on December 30, when the current edition of the annual Chavittu Nadakam festival 'Chuvadi', organised by the island's Sports and Arts Club, concludes.
The statue was done by Thrissur-based sculptor Anto K George who had no documents or any portraits of the maestro to refer when he took up the task. But the numerous legends about the maestro, who popularised Chavittu Nadakam, formed the basis of his work.
George has recreated the legendary figure as the knightly protagonist of the Chavittu Nadakam piece, Karalman Charitham (the story of Emperor Charlemagne aka Charles the Great) authored by Annavi which to date is the most popular theatrical piece in Chavittu Nadakam ensemble.
Work on Annavi's statue began as a prelude to the first edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in October 2012. But it got delayed following the financial constraints that affected the smooth conduct of the Biennale. The statue was completed nine months after the conclusion of the maiden Biennale with the support being extended by Union Minister K V Thomas.
The five-day long Chuvadi fest will begin with the staging of 'Yakobinte Makkal' by Gothurthu Yuvajana Chavittunadaka Kala Samithi on December 26. The next day, Chaithanya Theatres, Thuruthipuram will perform 'Oedipus' followed by 'Njana Sundari' by Navaratna Kala Samskarika Vedi, Thuruthipuram, on December 28.
On the final day of the fest on December 30, Gothuruthu Kerala Chavittu Nadaka Academy's 'Parimarude Maranam' will be staged.
