The traditional cultural heritage of Kerala is there for every one to experience at Thekkadi. We first attended a Kalarippayattu show, which is the world famous ancient traditional martial art form of Kerala. Though, Karate, Kung fu, Judo own a lot to Kalari this is hardly acknowledged. I was very keen to experience this for my student Ashitha had worked for her Ph. D on Kalari and women and had shown how this martial art got converted into a performing art for women. This art is performed in a Kuzhikalari, which is an earthen carved stage. The performers use, swords, shields, sperars, daggers, belts, long and short sticks, fire etc. One can admire the fitness of the body and the perfect union of mind and body among the exponents of this art which comes with a long dedicated training. I also spent some time watching the artist get ready for Kathakakali another traditional art performance. This is performed in a Koothambalam, an art performing temple usually narrating stories from the classic epics. The costumes are elaborate and the dance is performed with a lot of facial expressions. The facial makeup called Chutti is very elaborate and the facial expressions of all the rassas done by the artists, mostly male, are beautiful.The hand movements are so delicate and elegant. The town has a lot of herbal parlours and is famous for the Kerala Ayurvedic massages. A thrilling trip and I now want to come and spend some more time here.
