Penkaalangal’ Strikes a Chord at National Percussion Festival

Speedy Summary

• The National Percussion festival, organised by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, featured a session titled ‘Pennkaalangal’ (‘female rhythms’) at K.T.Muhammed theater on its second day.
• Mohiniyattam exponent Deepti Omchery Bhalla opened the session with an address celebrating the dance form’s padavarnnas, supported by vocalist Suprabha from Kerala Kalamandalam.
• Amritavarshini led an ensemble titled Yuvathaalatharangam in a thavil performance, breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated percussion field.
• Margamkali was performed by Akhila Joshi and team as a testament to change and revival in another historically male-driven art form.
• Kalamandalam Sharmila and troupe redefined thullal through gender assertion in their presentation.
• Mumbai-based Mukta Raste delivered commanding tabla recitals alongside Santosh Ghande on harmonium, further showcasing women’s prowess in classical percussion arts.
• Nandini Varma led an engaging thayambaka performance that signified her trailblazing role in chenda drumming amidst traditionally male exclusivity.
• On another stage at Actor Murali Theatre, 80-year-old maestro Therozhi Ramakuruppu led a stirring Panchari Melam performance featuring 118 percussionists which culminated into five rhythmic phases of classic artistry under proficient leadership from other seasoned artists like Cheranallur Sankarankutty marar and Kizhakkoot Kuttan Marar.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The National Percussion Festival served as both a platform for celebrating tradition and redefining societal norms within classical art forms often dominated by men. ‘Pennkaalangal,’ specifically dedicated to showcasing female rhythm virtuosos, underscored the evolving narrative around gender inclusivity in performing arts-a important step for cultural spaces embracing diversity without compromising artistic integrity.

Outside of its commentary on gender dynamics, performances like Panchari Melam highlighted not just individual mastery but collaborative excellence inherent to Indian percussion traditions-reminding audiences of their communal celebratory essence even amid generational diversity marked by veterans like Therozhi Ramakuruppu taking center stage alongside young talents.By fostering innovation while honoring time-tested classical formats across varied genres (thavil, tabla, chenda), such festivals could play catalytic roles not only within Kerala’s rich cultural tapestry but also reinforce India-wide conversations about representation and heritage preservation balancing evolution with remembrance.

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