CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTRE

INTRODUCTION:Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes of a group of society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the future generations.Cultural heritage includes tangible cultures (buildings, monuments, landscape, books, works of art, artefacts, etc.); intangible culture (folklore, traditions, language and knowledge) and natural heritage (including culturally significant landscape and biodiversity.)AIM: To create a heritage centre which brings together the culture of central Kerala, near the culturally and historically important location of Kodungallur.OBJECTIVES:-To provide spaces for Performing art forms, both Classical and Folk.-To provide teaching spaces for indigenous classical art forms, mural art, etc.-To provide spaces for display of the history of art forms, properties used for them and even selling them.-To provide relaxing areas for the students as well as the public using the space. -To provide an open air theatre where informal programmes can be conducted.

SCOPE:-Designing a cultural centre which comprises of art forms and performing arts from the central Kerala. Features expected in this centre are: Spaces which hold Carnatic and other Classical/Traditional musical performances, performance venues for traditional, classical dance; art galleries, Education building which follows guru Kula sampradaya, Art Galleries for displaying work of art students, Museums which gives an idea about each art form and its history, and a restaurant which carters traditional food of Kerala, made available to the publicLIMITATION: A project with such a scope lacks previous survey data and proper study materials. The project is proposed assuming that the proposed government project becomes a success and sufficient number of people will reach the area in tourism season and use the facility provided to them.SITE SELECTION:A project, named Muziris Heritage Project, was launched by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Kerala in 2006 to scientifically retrieve and preserve the historical heritage of the region, extending from North Paravur to Kodungallur. The project envisages a combination of heritage management initiatives in its restoration, conservation and access to the public. Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR), identified as the nodal agency for Muziris Heritage Project, provides academic guidance and undertakes archaeological and historical research in the region.Project highlights The largest heritage conservation project in India The first Green Project of the Government of Kerala Involvement of multiple Government Departments and convergence More than 25 museums to appreciate the Muziris Heritage A research and academic institution to support the project Major improvements in infrastructure Integration with local communities through native resource persons for data collection, survey etc.

Project objectives To promote awareness and understanding of the cultural distinctiveness and diversity of Muziris To conserve cultural assets and safeguard them for the present and future generations To practice and promote sustainable development To promote participative approach towards conservation and restoration To ensure accessibility for all To include the heritage of Muziris in regional educational programmes To integrate and heritage management for mutual synergy

Site is to be located in the town of Kodungallur adjoining the river side.This is in accordance with the current government project to transform the municipalities of Kodungallur and Paravur ; and the panchayats of Chendamangalam, Chittattinkara, Vadakkekara, Pallippuram, S.N.Puram, Eriad and Methala ,into heritage locations. FEASIBILITY:Muziris is recognised as a historically important location. There archaeological findings and excavations that are being done in this place. To reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris, the Government of Kerala has initiated the Muziris Heritage Project. Today, the region is dotted with numerous monuments of a bygone era that conjure up a vast and vivid past. The entire project is designed to involve and integrate the local community in all intended developmental initiatives. According to the current government proposal, the heritage of the area of Muziris is to be conserved;the historical sites are going to be connected to each other through water transportation and bus routes.The proposed site for the thesis project is lying between the historically important archaeological sites of Muziris development projects, which includes museums, a research and academic institution, improvements in infrastructure, etc. A cultural institute is something that is lacking in this project. A lot of tourists are expected to arrive at this area during tourism season. During such season, such a Cultural Centre is required to accommodate tourists, hold performances as per demand of the Tourists. During off-season, it can be used for holding local functions and festivals which can hold a large gathering.There are lots of Tourists who will be coming to Kodungallur for religious tourism and visiting the beach as of now.But after the Government proposal has been implemented,most of the toursts who will be arriving at Kodungallur will be for Visiting archaeological sites, Museums that hold artefacts from the past, then important locations like Patanam excavation site-Kottayil Kovilakam-Paliam-Kottappuram Fort-Cheraman parambu-Keelthazhi Siva temple-Thiruvanchikulam temple-Cheraman Juma Masjid-Kodungallur Bhagavathi temple-Abdul Rahman Sahibs House-Azhikode Marthoma Church-Pallippuram-Sahodaran Ayyappan SmarakamTrissur and Ernakulam are the main tourist attractions of Kerala. This area of Kodungallur is situated between both these Districts.Installing a cultural centre in the middle of such a location will help tourists who are interested in knowing the local culture and art forms. The location of the site will help this cultural centre to get more exposed to tourists.CASE STUDIES:-Kala Kendra,Goa-Kerala Kalamandalam,Shornur-Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts-National Centre For Performing Arts,Mumbai

SOME OF THE FEATURES THAT ARE TO BE INCLUDED ARE:

Kerala mural paintingKerala mural paintings are the frescos depicting mythology and legends, which are drawn on the walls of temples and churches in South India, principally in Kerala. Ancient temples, churches and palaces in Kerala, South India, display an abounding tradition of mural paintings mostly dating back between the 9th to 12th centuries CE when this form of art enjoyed Royal patronage.

ParichamuttukaliParichamuttukali is a martial dance form of Kerala practiced by Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syrian Christians or Nasrani) who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle among Jews and natives in the 1st century.[1][2] It is performed by men bearing swords and shields and follows the movements and steps of Kalarippayattu.

Margam KaliMargamkali (Malayalam:) is a group dance of Kerala practiced by Saint Thomas Christians (also known as Syrian Christians or Nasrani) who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle among Jews and natives in the 1st century.

PanchavadyamPanchavadyam( Malayalam), literally meaning an orchestra of five instruments, is basically a temple art form that has evolved in Kerala. Of the five instruments, four timila, maddalam, ilathalam and idakka belong to the percussion category, while the fifth, kombu, is a wind instrument.

KathakaliKathakali (Malayalam: , kathakai; Sanskrit: , kathkai) is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.

MohiniyattamThe sinuous dance of the enchantress, this is a distinctive classical dance form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form. The simple, elegant goldfiligreed dress, in pure white or ivory, is akin to the traditional attire of the women of Kerala. The origin of Mohiniyattom is rooted in Hindu mythology. Once the ocean of milk was churned by the gods and demons to extract the elixir of life and immortality. The demons made away with this divine brew. Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of the panicky gods and assumed the female form of an amorous celestial dame Mohini. Captivating the demons with her charms, Mohini stole the elixir from them and restored it to the gods. This dance was adopted by the Devadasi or temple dancers, hence also the name 'Dasiattam' which was very popular during the Chera reign from 9th to 12th century.

Carnatic musicCarnatic music or Karnaka sagta or Karnaka sagtam is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions; the other subgenre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian and Islamic influences in North India. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gyaki (singing) style.

Kathakali MusicThe language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam, a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit. Even though most of the songs are set in ragas based on the microtone-heavy Carnatic music, there is a distinct style of plain-note rendition, which is known as the Sopanam style. This typically Kerala style of rendition takes its roots from the temple songs which used to be sung (continues even now at several temples) at the time when Kathakali was born.The foremost artist was Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. Kalamandalam at Vallathol Nagar, near Shornur,Trissur in Kerala is an important training center for this art. Since Kathakali is essentially a temple art one of the greatest ever Kathakali singer , Hyderali, who was a Muslim, had to face stiff resistance which eventually was swept away by the immense force of popularity. But Hyderali softened the original Asura nature of the art. Kalamandalam Gangadharan, who remains the last exponent of the original tradition has almost retired from the scene.

The time of Kulasekharas was the formative epoch of Malayalam language and literature. In the beginning of the 9th century Malayalam began to take shape as an independent language and in course of time it freed itself from all Tamil influence. A new language, literature and script gradually came into existence.

Rise of the temples: The progress of Hinduism had its impact on the social life of the people. Its immediate effect was seen in the rist of the temple to a place of importance in religious and cultural life.

Rise of Temple arts: The temple was the nerve centre for all cultural activities. New art forms like Kuthu and Kudiyattam also came to be evolved in Kerala temples with effect from the 9th century.The institution of the Devadasis (dancing girls attached to temples) may also be ascribed to the Kulasekhara age. The devadasis had a high status in society as is evidenced by the action of Kulasekhara Alwar himself in presenting his daughter as a Devadasi before the lord of Sriragam.

The development of Temple arts was accompanied by the progress of sculpture and painting.The temples were provided with prolific stone and wooden sculptures representing puranic themes and deities. Not only local artists and sculptors worked on the sculptures but expert artisans were brought down from the neighbouring Tamil country and Ceylon.

Mural paintings also seems to have had its origin in the Kulasekhara age.The murals in the temples at Thirunandikara and Thiruvanchikulam have been assigned to this period.

http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/IndiaCheras.htm