Apurva Arthur becomes first woman to perform mizhavu arangettam at Kerala Kalamandalam

Theatre practitioner Apurva Arthur has made history as the first woman to perform the mizhavu arangettam, a solo debut recital on the mizhavu, a traditional percussion instrument, at Kerala Kalamandalam, a prestigious institution for classical arts in Kerala, India. The performance, which took place at the institution's campus in Cheruthuruthy, marks a significant milestone in breaking gender barriers within the classical ritual tradition of Kutiyattam and related art forms. Arthur, who has a background in contemporary theatre, trained under mizhavu maestro Kalamandalam Rajeev, and her arangettam was part of her ongoing exploration of bridging contemporary performance with classical ritual traditions. The event was attended by scholars, artists, and students, and has been widely celebrated as a progressive step for women in traditionally male-dominated percussion traditions. Kerala Kalamandalam, founded in 1930 by poet Vallathol Narayana Menon, has historically been a male-dominated space for percussion training, and Arthur's achievement is seen as a catalyst for further inclusion. The performance included traditional pieces and demonstrated her technical proficiency and artistic sensitivity. Arthur's work, which often engages with ritual and performance, now takes on new significance as she becomes a trailblazer in a field where women's participation has been limited.