The Folkland team organized a grand felicitation ceremony to honor Dr. V. Jayarajan on his prestigious appointment as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Culture Masters, a renowned international organization based in the Republic of Korea. The event, held on 13th March 2025 at the Folkland Centre, Payyanur, celebrated his remarkable contributions to cultural preservation and his new global role.
Dr. V. Jayarajan, the Secretary General of the Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN), has been elected as the Chairperson of Culture Masters, an organization based in South Korea. He also serves as the international advisor of Culture Masters from the Republic of Korea. Culture Masters is an international organization established in the Republic of Korea to promote and preserve various art forms recognized by the UNESCO Convention and to honor artists worldwide. Dr. Jayarajan was appointed to this position following the completion of the two-year term of the organization's first Chairperson, Alisher Ikramov from Uzbekistan.
Padma Shri Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar, Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and an acclaimed drummer, inaugurated the program, underscoring the significance of Dr. Jayarajan’s appointment.
In a gesture of appreciation and respect, Mr. Krishnan Naduvilath, poet and Secretary of the Kerala Kshethra Kala Akademi, honored him with a shawl.
The gathering featured addresses by distinguished personalities, including K. Sivakumar, Taluk Library Council President; writer, critic, and Ethirdisha Monthly editor Mr. Suresh Kumar P K; Kathakali maestro Mr. T. T. Krishnan; Kathakali singer Mr.Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambeesan, Ottanthullal maestro Mr. Karivellur Ratnakumar Adv. K. V. Sasidharan Nambiar, film and theatre director Mr. M. T. Annur, counselor Mrs. Rugmini K. G., and environmental activist Mrs. Sarala Edavalath. The event was presided over by E. P. Balakrishnan, a local historian, while P. Kunhikannan extended a warm welcome to the attendees. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by K. Sureshan.
From Left to right: Mrs. Sarala Edavalath(Left), Mrs. Rugmini K G(Middle), Mr. Kalamadalam Narayanan Nambeesan (Right)
From Left to right: Mr. M T Annur(Left), Mr. Suresh Kumar P K(Middle), Mr. K Sivakumar (Left)
From Left to Right: Mr. P KunhiKannan, Mr. E P Balakrishnan, Mr. Karivellur Ratnakumar, Mr. K Sureshan
In his reply, Dr. Jayarajan expressed his gratitude and shared insights about the work of Culture Masters. He highlighted that the organization has been actively working for the promotion of Living Heritage and is striving to organize a Cultural Olympics in 2028 in Korea. This ambitious initiative aims to recognize and celebrate Intangible Cultural Elements from across the world. He also expressed his pride in the recognition of two eminent artists, Sadanam Balakrishnan of Kathakali and Dr. Anwesha Mahanta of Sattriya dance, who have been designated as Arirang Culture Masters in 2024.
The felicitation ceremony was a testament to the immense respect and admiration the artistic and cultural community holds for Dr. V. Jayarajan. His appointment as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Culture Masters reaffirms his dedication to promoting and preserving traditional art forms on international scale. The gathering recognized his tireless efforts in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage and extended their heartfelt wishes for success in his new global responsibility. (END)