Thrissur/Kerala: A Muslim girl will perform the classical dance form Kathakali at the Kerala Kalamandalam here, for the first time in 95 years since the deemed university was first established in 1930. Sixteen-year-old Sabri will be performing the 'Krishna vesham' on Vijayadeshami day, ie October 2, Thursday, on the Kalamandalam stage along with several of her classmates, PTI reported.
She will be undergoing an hour-long makeup and costume process before she takes to the stage in the evening, around 8 pm.
Sabri, daughter of photographer Nizam Ammas, told PTI that her "dream was going to become a reality" and that it was difficult to find words to express her excitement.
"I am happy I am getting to perform the dance that I always wanted to," she added.
Sabri, whose day starts at 4.30 am and ends 12 hours later at the institute, is excited to be there and intends to pursue a career in dance, especially Kathakali.
She is also interested in learning 'chutti', the intricate facial makeup of Kathakali performers.
"It will be there as a subject next year," she said.
Sabri said that initially things were a bit tough, but now her dance and academic studies were going on smoothly.
She is the first Muslim girl to be enrolled in the dance institution after it opened its doors to girls in 2021.
However, it was due to her father's relentless efforts and the insistence of Kalamandalam Gopi, a famed dance instructor at the institution, that she gained admission to the Kerala Kalamandalam.
Nizam, a Kollam native, said that he noticed his daughter's inquisitiveness about the art forms and colours used in the dance makeup when she used to accompany him on some of his photo-assignments related to cultural activities.
As she grew, he asked her whether she would be interested in studying Kathakali and Sabri enthusiastically agreed, Nizam recalls.