Kochi: A man has scripted a rare fete by storming a female bastion of classical Mohiniyattam. K.M. Abu, from Wayanad, in Kerala, has become the first Muslim and a dancer to hold a doctorate degree in the dance form from the deemed university of Kerala Kalamandalam.
Mr Abu, currently a lectu-rer at the dance department of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sankrit, in Kalady, has been awarded PhD, for his thesis on Mohiniyattam exponent Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Am-ma’s voyages in art world.
Born to Kodiyil Muham-med and Kulsa, Mr Abu had a passion for classical dance forms from childho-od. At the age of 10-years, started learning dance un-der Guru Kalamandalam Omana Vijayakumar.
After his pre-degree, he decided to take up dance as his profession and joined RLV College of Tripunithura for a six-year post-diploma course in Bharathanatyam and passed it in 1992. Then he passed a four-year diploma in Mohiniyattam with first class.
“I joined these courses at a time when there was no degree course for the same and later cleared the necessary degree papers.” Mr Abu said. “His feat underscores that art has no religion or creed. Kathakali singer Hyderali and K.J. Yesudas are prime examples for the same,” said P.N. Suresh, vice-chancellor of Kerala Kalamanadalam.
