Muslim Girl Performs Kathakali At Kerala Kalamandalam For First Time
Two years ago, she joined Kalamandalam as an eighth-grade student, marking the beginning of her journey into the world of Kathakali
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a historic first, a 16-year-old student became the first Muslim girl to perform Kathakali at the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam in Cheruthuruthy since its founding in 1930.
Sabri, daughter of photographer Nizam Ammas and Neesha, made her arangettam (debut) in the Krishna Vesham, stepping onto the Kalamandalam stage alongside her classmates. "It's a long awaited dream finally realized," said an elated Sabri after the historic performance. Two years ago, she joined Kalamandalam as an eighth-grade student, marking the beginning of her journey into the world of Kathakali. After clearing the entrance exam and subsequent interview, her enrollment itself was a historic milestone, as no Muslim girl had ever enrolled to learn Kathakali before.
Sabri, along with six other girls, was admitted to the Thekkan Kathakali division, where she learned her first mudras under the guidance of none other than Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Gopi. Other veteran teachers, including Kalamandalam Anil Kumar, also trained her. Now, as a tenth-grade student, she continues to hone her skills with dedication and passion under the tutelage of her esteemed mentors.
The family says that as a child, Sabri often accompanied her father to dance performances. The Kathakali performances left her mesmerized, especially the costumes, the vibrantly painted faces, intricate and vivid makeup, unique face masks, and the expressive gestures of face and hand, which made a lasting impression on her.
The dance form captivated her so deeply that she began dreaming of becoming a Kathakali artist and performing on stage one day. With her family's full support, Sabari achieved her long-cherished dream, a goal she had been waiting to fulfill for so long.
It's worth noting that Kalamandalam officially began allowing girls to perform Kathakali roles only during the 2020-21 academic year. This historic decision by Kalamandalam opened doors for artists like Sabari. Taking the stage on Thursday, Sabari fulfilled her personal dream and broke a nine and a half -decade-old barrier, securing a place in Kerala's cultural legacy.
