KUALA LUMPUR: Kairali Arts Club (KAC), Kuala Lumpur is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary on Saturday with a musical Malayalam drama, entitled “Mazhavillu Pookkunna Aakaasham.”
KAC, one of the oldest living theatre clubs in Malaysia (founded in 1956) will be hosting the cultural exchange programme with The Fine Arts Malayalam (FAM), New Jersey, United States (US).
KAC honorary secretary Sasikumar Poduval said the two-hour drama would feature nine Malayalee artistes from the FAM who will be visiting Malaysia for the first time.
“Normally, we produce our own plays where over the years, KAC members have staged more than 50 full length dramas. But this time around, we will be presenting the drama, playing host to FAM and to the various Malayalee associations invited,” he told the New Straits Times.
FAM founder, P.T. Chacko - a Malaysian based in New Jersey, said he hoped that the non-profit friendly cultural exchange programme between KAC and FAM would allow participants from the US to learn about the diverse Malaysian culture and have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Malaysia.
The event, he said, aimed to spread goodwill and promote arts and culture, which would pave way for more interaction between similar groups and the general public in Malaysia and the United States. .
“This would enhance the spirit of tourism by more people from the US to beautiful Malaysia in the future.
“Besides, these artistes who have never been here will talk about Malaysia, the most beautiful country they have visited, hence promoting Malaysia to a larger group," said the former KAC member.
Chacko said the play, written by Francis T. Mavelikkara, is about the relationship between a widowed father and his daughter who does not want to get married until her father remarries.
“It is one of the most beautiful stories of current life, portraying the relationship between the older and younger generation.”
The drama, produced by Sunny Ranni and directed by Renji Kochummen and Jose Kanjirappally would be held at the Shantanand Auditorium, Temple of Fine Arts here tomorrow at 7pm (attendance by invitation only). Invitations are priced at RM100 and RM50.
For further information, contact KAC honorary secretary Sasikumar Poduval at 012 211 8020 or visit the KAC Facebook page, “Cultural Show by Kairali Arts Club”.