Thrissur (Kerala)

A teenager from Kollam has become the first Muslim girl to enrol for a Kathakali course in Kerala Kalamandalam.

The 90 year old institution is rated the most prestigious institution for Kathakali.

This classical dance form is 300 years old and combines the facets of ballet, opera, masque and pantomime.

In the past, many Muslim girls have joined Kathakali in private centres. For example, Jahnara Rahman, a Dubai based doctor who hails from Wadakkancherry, has studied Kathakali in a private centre.

Saabri who is 14 years old hails from Anchal in Kollam. She was drawn to costumes, colour and acting from the tender age of six.

According to news reports, Saabri is determined to carry on with the course and does not think that religious association of this dance form will affect her in any way.

Her father, S. Nizam is convinced that Kathakali is the most sophisticated indigenous art form of Kerala. He thinks that it is not fair to link it exclusively to one religion. He says that he and his daughter are religious but that will not alter her decision to learn an art form.

He says that Saabri will have no problem removing the hijab and other traditional Islamic attire while learning at Kalamandalam.” We must follow the norms of an institution,’’ says Nizam.

It is well known that most Kathakali performances are based on stories associated with Hinduism.