Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture, a pioneering institution in the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, marked a milestone in its journey by celebrating the Navarathri Festival as part of Pavizholsav, the 35th Anniversary of Folkland. The three-day festival was organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the CSR partnership of Dorf Ketal Chemicals India.
What made this year’s celebration significant was not just its association with Folkland’s 35th year of cultural service, but also its connection with the broader national and global context of Dussehra—a festival known by different names across India. In Kerala, it is observed as Navarathri, while in Bengal and the eastern parts of the country, it takes the form of Durga Puja.
Navarathri and the UNESCO Connection
Durga Puja was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, becoming the first festival in Asia to receive this prestigious recognition. UNESCO hailed it as a celebration that seamlessly integrates religious worship with public art, community involvement, and cultural expressions.
Some of the key aspects highlighted by UNESCO include:
Public Art: Durga Puja is not confined to ritual; it has evolved into a vast public art festival where artists, sculptors, and designers collaborate to create temporary wonders.
Multidisciplinary Integration: The festival blends rituals, folk music, performing arts, culinary traditions, and craft practices, particularly the famed clay idol-making by artisans of Kumartoli in Kolkata.
Immersive City-Wide Experience: For several autumn days, Kolkata and other towns transform into living museums, with pandals (temporary temples), lighting displays, and themed art installations.
Community Spirit: Millions of people, from residents to global visitors, participate, making it both a devotional and social experience.
Cultural Significance: UNESCO described it as a festival of life, symbolizing resilience, creativity, and community solidarity.
By referencing Durga Puja’s global recognition, Folkland’s Navarathri festival aligned itself with the larger framework of intangible heritage celebrations, situating Kerala’s traditions within a pan-Indian and international dialogue.
The Three-Day Celebration at Folkland
The Navarathri program spanned three significant days—Ashtami (Eighth day), Navami (Ninth day), and Vijayadashami (Tenth day)—each highlighting different dimensions of India’s artistic and spiritual culture.
Day One (Ashtami): Rhythm and Dance at Taarakam
The opening program, held at Taarakam (Heritage House), Thalichalam, Trikaripur, was dedicated to the exploration of Tāla (rhythm) and Nritha (dance). Eminent musicians and performers introduced the audience to the intricacies of rhythm in classical traditions:
▶Mr. Jagadeesh Janardhanan – Maestro in Mridangam
▶Mr. Sarath A. Kumar – Eminent Tabalist
▶Ms. Divya Jagadeesh – Accomplished Bharatanatyam exponent
The session highlighted how rhythm serves as the heartbeat of Indian performing arts, uniting music and dance in an organic harmony.
Day Two (Navami): Dance Traditions at Monacha Heritage Village
The second day’s festivities shifted to the Shree Bhagavathi Temple premises at Monacha Heritage Village, where three accomplished dancers presented distinct forms of Kerala’s classical dance heritage before a large and appreciative audience:
▶ Mohiniyattam by Kalamandalam Soumya Bijukrishna
▶ Kerala Natanam by Ms. Jisha M. M.
▶ Bharatanatyam by Ms. Hridya Rajan
Each performance showcased the diversity and depth of India’s classical dance traditions, with their unique styles, gestures, and emotive storytelling. The temple setting enhanced the spiritual ambiance, reminding audiences that these art forms are not just performances but sacred offerings.
Day Three (Vijayadashami): A Day of Initiation
The concluding day coincided with Vijayadashami, a day of great cultural and spiritual significance in India, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. Traditionally, this is the day when learning begins—whether of letters, music, or the arts.
At Folkland, this symbolism was brought alive through initiation ceremonies in rhythm and dance:
Training in Mridangam, Tabla, and Chenda began under the guidance of masters.
Dance training was initiated by Ms. Divya Jagadeesh.
A special pooja was conducted before the initiation, adding sanctity to the proceedings.
Children and young learners participated, making the event not only a commemoration of tradition but also an investment in the future of cultural practice.
Linking Kerala to India’s Wider Cultural Tapestry
By celebrating Navarathri in this manner, Folkland underscored the shared essence of India’s festivals—whether called Navarathri, Dussehra, or Durga Puja. While rooted in regional traditions, these festivals embody common values of devotion, art, learning, and community.
The Navarathri Festival at Folkland thus became more than a series of programs—it was a cultural statement, placing Kerala’s living traditions in conversation with the national heritage and global recognition of Durga Puja.
A Celebration of 35 Years of Folkland
This year’s festival was particularly special as it coincided with the 35th Anniversary of Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture. Over the decades, Folkland has grown into a hub for cultural exchange, research, and preservation of folklore traditions, bridging the local with the global.
By organizing this Navarathri festival with support from the Ministry of Culture and Dorf Ketal Chemicals, Folkland reaffirmed its mission of sustaining and celebrating intangible cultural heritage—keeping traditions alive while connecting them to contemporary audiences.