Big influx of Kerala artistes as city celebrates Onam

Sudheesh KS is a body painting artist for a tiger dance troupe. He brings the tigers to life, incorporating fluorescent orange in addition to the customary yellow in his tiger designs.
The gifted artist from Thrissur, Kerala, is looking forward to his upcoming journey to Bengaluru on September 27. During an Onam celebration event at an apartment complex in the city, Sudheesh will earn Rs 3,000 for his services, which involve painting tiger patterns on the bodies of six people.“Logistics will be taken care of by the apartment association,” he says. This opportunity is particularly significant for Sudheesh, who struggles to find consistent work in Kerala.
Over the coming weeks, as Bengaluru’s apartments, shopping centres, and cultural organisations immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of Onam (some have scaled down celebrations this year because of the Wayanad tragedy), the city will see a big influx of dancers, choreographers and cooks from Kerala, contributing to the authenticity of the celebrations.
“The demand for original Kerala cuisine and performances has grown in Bengaluru, among both Malayalees and non-Malayalees,” says Anand PS, who heads the cultural committee at Sobha Forest View located at Kanakapura Road, one of the biggest residential communities in Bengaluru.
The artists are also compensated generously. “We have paid Rs 25,000 each for Kathakali and Theyyam artists to come and perform,” says Anand.
The additional income from Bengaluru is a great boon for them, says Anil Marar, a chenda artist and IT professional residing in Bengaluru. “The monsoon period in Kerala poses significant difficulties for these artists as their primary source of income is disrupted, making it challenging to sustain themselves and their families,” he says.

Expanding audience base
Performing in Bengaluru, he says, also offers the artists an opportunity to showcase their talents to a larger audience.
Shaji V Pillai, a member of the executive committee at Bengaluru’s East Cultural Association (ECA), which boasts a membership of 1,600, would agree. As part of their Onam festivities, ECA is organising a magnificent two-day cultural extravaganza, featuring artistes from Kerala who specialise in traditional art forms such as Ottanthullal and a unique fusion of Kuchippudi and Kathakali. “The idea is to familiarise the younger generation with these art forms, even as the older generation relish what they miss,” Pillai says, adding, “Choreographers, make-up artists and costume suppli ers coming from Kerala will also help our members perform traditional dance forms like Kathakali, Theyyam and Mohiniyattam.”
The association’s mission too extends beyond mere entertainment to provide support to struggling artists, thus contributing to the preservation and promotion of Kerala’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan, director of Kathakali School in Cheruthuruthy, says their troupe will showcase their talent in Bengaluru this year.
“The highlight of our performance will be a fusion art piece that com bines elements from various traditional art forms such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kalaripayattu, and Theyyam. The group is currently engaged in rigorous rehearsals, says Gopalakrishnan, who has made his mark in choreography.
In Neotown, a sprawling apartment complex in Electronic City, there is a lot of buzz around the traditional Onam feast or sadya. The residents have arranged for four experienced cooks from north Kerala to prepare the customary Onam feast. “The cooks will be paid Rs 22,000 in addition to us taking care of their transportation, accommodation, and other expenses,” says Bijimon Thomas, a resident of Neotown. Crafting a grand thali spread with 26-28 items is an art that requires immense dedication and skill.
Modern twists
Uma Das, 45, a skilled tiger dance performer from Thrissur in Kerala is in Bengaluru with his troupe of six ‘tigers’. They perform in apartment complexes, and their dance is unique because it is set to contemporary DJ music. Similarly, Kurichy Nadesan, a seasoned Arjuna Nritham (the dance of Arjuna) performer from Kerala, adapts his art to appeal to a broader audience by dancing to Nadaswara and Shinkari melam. The attire for the performance has also been significantly modified. “Audiences today like vibrant hues,” he says.