Drumming the takil to celebrate 25 years

CHANDIGARH, Jan 3: The auditorium at the Polytechnic for Women in Sector 10 was turned into a mini-Kerala, not only by the chatter in Malayalam but by the notes of Nadaswaram, the typical wind instrument that is an essential ingredient of temples and wedding ceremonies in the state. And to the drumming of the accompanying `takil’, a blend of dholak and mridangam, the Kerala Samajam celebrated its silver jubilee this evening.

The `Takil Nadaswara Kacheri’ was presented by Valivalam Rajendran and Party from the Delhi-based International Centre for Kathakali. The notes and the `taal’ made the audience nostalgic for each one was transported to that God’s Own Country. They belted out evergreen `kritis’ like `Mahaganapatim…’ and `Nagumo…’. The function was sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the UT Administration. Since it was the Samajam’s annual day too, the talents among the Malayali population here emerged in the form of songs and dances, not to miss the customary Kaikottikkali, the dance of the damsels to the beat of their claps.

The Samajam instituted two scholarships for students who excelled in the Board examinations. The T C Peter Memorial Scholarship for Class X went to Praveen Unnikrishnan and the Joseph Palathingal Memorial Scholarship for Class XII went to Priyalakshmi.