Art that fails age

DT News Network

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Manama

He is 100 years old, yet his passion for traditional Indian dances still burns within and he still works tirelessly on reviving the classical dance.

Kathakali dance veteran, Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair’s remarkable age-defying performances have surprised many over the years. With no plans to retire even at this age, he is now focusing on popularizing the dance among youth.

"I get exited every time a young one come to me and asks for advise about the dance. I can see that they are eager to learn and I want to help. My mission now is to popularize this dance and to bring it up, perhaps even to the level that it once was," Mr. Nair, who was in Bahrain yesterday, told DT News. Mr. Nair, who came to Bahrain last week, had also given a speech and a short performance at Indian School three days ago.

He added that his efforts have been taken well in India as well as Bahrain. "I have set up numerous schools in India, it is being run very well, the developments there are positive. In my tour here in the Middle East, the Indian community as well as the Arab and other communities have received me very well, they understand and respect what I do.”

He hailed Bahrain as a land of religious coexistence, "Bahrain is a perfect example of the friendship between Muslims and Hindus. The Indian culture is appreciated here better than in many other places."

Speaking about Kathakali, he said that the most important part of the dance is the facial expressions. "It is one of the first things one should learn in Khathakali, the expressions on the face are complex and it will contribute to the story of the performance if used correctly." When asked about how he is able to perform even at this age he said, "It is how it is, I grew up practicing this art and performing it and it has kept me healthy."