Mumbai | Vanitha Natakotsavam (drama by ladies), the second part of the 32nd anniversary series of Mumbai's art and cultural organization KELI, begins today. The festival is designed around the theme of the folk lore dharmas of Koodiyattam. This year's Silver Conch of KELI is given to Kalamandalam Sindhu.

A two-day ‘Koodiyattam’ led by Kalamandalam Sindhu will be staged at Kerala Samajam, Nerul, New Bombay on Saturday and Sunday. Sindhu completed her post graduate-diploma in Koodiyattam at Kalamandalam in 1997 and has won many awards like Kerala Kalamandalam Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and Painkulam Ramachakyar Award.

Sindhu, who has worked as a teacher in Thiruvananthapuram Margi and Painkulam Ramachakyar Gurukulam, is currently working as a trainer and artist at Kerala Kalamandalam. She has performed Koodiyattam during her visit of France, Germany, Singapore and Japan.

Sindhu will be honoured with a Silver Conch at the inaugural function on Saturday evening by Smt Swati Apte, actress and the director of Ksheersagar Apte foundation.

Tara's Atmagatam, the first day's presentation, is based on the 10th century poet Mayurajan's work Udatha Raghavam. On the second day, the relevant parts of the play Bhagavadajukam, written by Bodhayana in the 7th century, will be presented on stage.

Apart from Kalamandalam Sindhu, Kalamandalam Sangeeta, Kalamandalam Jayaraj, Kalamandalam Rahul, Margi Akhil and Margi Amrita will be on stage. A comprehensive description of the acts and mudras will be given live on the screen.