THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : In a novel initiative by the Cultural Ministry, 15 centres in Thiruvanathapuram have been identified to promote the arts and culture. The project ‘Diamond Jubilee Fellowship For Young Aspirants’ provides encouragement to artists who have desired qualifications in certain art disciplines.

It empowers students with a platform to identify their hidden talents and eliminate the misconception of treating art as a luxury. The project, according to the trainers, will help students to develop their artistic ability and improve their interpretative skills. 

According to the City Corporation, cultural centres and schools in the city will be used as training centres. “We have selected artists under the age of 35 who reside in Thiruvananthapuram. It is completely free of cost, so anyone with a passion can walk-in to the centre and learn their favourite art discipline,” said V K Prasanth, mayor, Corporation. Thirteen artists have been selected from recognised institutions to train the students. They will be given a fellowship of Rs 10,000 per month. 

There will be opportunities for learning mohiniyattom, bharatanatyam, kuchipudi, kathakali, cholliyattom, koodiyattom, krishnanattom, thullal, thiruvathira, yaksha ganam, chakyar koothu, nangiar koothu, chavittunatakam, kathaprasangam, kakkarisshi, velakali, panchavadyam, thayampaka, Kerala natanam and drama. Special training will be provided for light music, mappila pattu and sopana sangeetham. The instrumental section includes violin, flute, guitar and drums.  The fine art category encompasses painting, sculpture, drawing, graphics, wall painting, cartoon- caricature and handicrafts. 

There will be folk and ritualistic art forms including kummattikkali, kaikottikali, thumpi thullal, padayani, theyyam, tholppava koothu, kolam thullal, mudiyettu, kuthiyottam, kalarippayattu, magic, kaniyarlkali, margam kali, oppana, kolkali, duff muttu, arbana muttu, parichamuttu and ayyappanpaattu.

The Corporation identified centres include Kazhakoottam, Art Museum, Shankumugham, Kalyana Mandapam, Nemom, Vizhinjam, Peroorkkada, Attipra, Nishamani Hall, Powdikonam, Cultural Centre, Nalanchira, Samadarshini, Kalippankulam, Community Hall, Elipode, St Joseph’s Hall, Palayam, Government Quarters Hall, Arannoor, Muttathara and YMA Hall, Chakka. The free art classes will begin from November 5.