Blending martial arts on a learning platform

Kozhikode: ‘Malabar meets Manipur,' to be held at the Pottekkat Cultural Centre on November 6 and 7, will feature the traditional martial art forms of Malabar and Manipur.

About 30 artistes from Manipur would take part in the programme organised by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

A committee was formed on Monday to choose ‘kalaripayattu' performers from Malabar.

A music and dance programme blending the traditions of the two regions is being planned.

There would be lecture-demonstrations to delineate the stylistic differences and similarities of the art forms in the two regions. There would be an exhibition of costumes and different ‘kalari treatment systems.'

IGNOU Vice-Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai would attend the inaugural session. Folklore expert Raghavan Payyanad would make a presentation on ‘Theyyam traditions' and historian M.G.S. Narayanan on the ‘Cultural history of Malabar.'

Scholars from Manipur would speak on Manipuri culture with special reference to the martial art forms of that State. C.P. Rajasekharan and N.V. Sreedharan, spokesmen for IGNOU, said on Monday that the university would consider using inputs from the programme to give shape to a certificate course in martial arts intended to be offered through its community colleges.