75-day cultural extravaganza begins

Thiruvananthapuram:The 75-day Soorya Festival took off to a humble start without the splendour of an official event. The inaugural function, organised at the Tagore Theatre, began with a silent invocation to the Sun God.

A dance drama that followed, offering tribute to the Sun God, proved a spectacular treat. The dance performed by Samudra, titled Aaditya Hridayam announced the inauguration of the 29th Soorya Festival.

The Soorya Film Festival also took off, with the screening of Athbudam, fourth in the Navarasam series directed by Jayaraj.

The film has already found its entry into the Limca Book of World Records for being the movie shot in a limited time of two hours and fifteen minutes. Director Jayaraj and singer Kavalam Sreekumar, who began his acting stint with Athbudam, were felicitated at the function.

A magic-drama presented by magician Muthukad and actor Saikumar also lit up the function.

Titled Charithram Marannu Vachcha Vismayathalukal, it depicted the story of magician Kadayat Unnithan, who lived during the time of Veluthampi Dalava, through a magic show.

The second film screened on the inaugural day was the Tamil movie Shasanam, directed by Mahendran. The video-fest as part of the festival will begin on Friday with Ottakambinadam, a visual felicitation to P Bhaskaran.

The poet will be present on the occasion. A dance and music festival will begin on October 1. It will end on October 10 with Carnatic vocal by K J Yesudas.

The Theatre Festival will kick off on October 11 and will end with Raja directed by Kavalam Narayana Panicker on October 20.

Ramayanam Festival will be held at the Municipal Auditorium from October 21 to 27. This will be followed by Mohiniyattom Festival from October 28 to 31.

Parampara, a unique dance festival where renowned gurus will be paid tributes by their disciples, is scheduled from November 1 to November 10. Films directed by Mrinal Sen will be screened from November 11 to 15 at Kalabhavan.

The grand finale of the Soorya Festival will take place at the Tagore Theatre with the instrumental fusion by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan