WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST GREAT? INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON KUTIYATTAM TO HONOUR GURU MARGI MADHU CHAKYAR

On 29 and 30 August 2026, Madhuparvam will celebrate Guru Margi Madhu Chakyar’s 60th birthday with an international seminar at Nepathya’s Koothambalam, Kerala. Scholars from five countries and seven universities will present 12 papers, reflecting on artistry, legacy, and the enduring question of what makes an artiste truly great.

At Nepathya’s Koothambalam in Kerala, anticipation is building for Madhuparvam, a two-day international seminar scheduled for 29 and 30 August 2026 to mark the 60th birthday of Guru Margi Madhu Chakyar. Titled What Makes an Artiste Great?, the gathering promises to be both a celebration of one man’s extraordinary journey and a profound exploration of the very nature of artistic greatness.

Kutiyattam, the ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, will serve as the cultural canvas for this event. Guru Madhu Chakyar has long been a central figure in its preservation and propagation, embodying the discipline, devotion, and creativity that define the art form. His milestone year has become the occasion to ask a timeless question: what elevates an artiste beyond mastery into greatness?

The seminar will bring together scholars and practitioners from five countries and seven universities, creating a rare confluence of perspectives. Across two days, 12 paper presentations will probe different dimensions of artistry — from the balance between tradition and innovation to the interplay of legacy, pedagogy, and cultural responsibility. The diversity of voices underscores the universality of the question, reminding audiences that while Kutiyattam is rooted in Kerala, the search for artistic greatness resonates far beyond its borders.

For many, the celebration is as much about Guru Madhu Chakyar’s personal journey as it is about the collective journey of artistes everywhere. His life’s work has been a testament to the power of dedication, the importance of teaching, and the courage to sustain an art form in a rapidly changing world. In many ways, the seminar reflects his own values: dialogue, scholarship, and the pursuit of excellence.

The atmosphere at Nepathya’s Koothambalam is expected to be one of festivity and contemplation. Conversations will flow between performances and presentations, weaving together academic rigour with lived experience. Scholars will speak of the need to preserve while evolving, while practitioners will share insights into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of performance. Together, they will paint a picture of artistry as a journey rather than a destination — a continuous process of learning, giving, and becoming.

Madhuparvam is not simply an anniversary event; it is a landmark in the cultural calendar, a reminder of the role institutions and individuals play in nurturing traditions. By situating the seminar within the broader celebration of Guru Madhu Chakyar’s 60 years, the organisers highlight the inseparability of personal legacy and collective heritage. The question posed — what makes an artiste great? — will find its answers not in a single definition, but in the multiplicity of reflections offered across the two days.

As the seminar concludes on 30 August, one truth will resonate: greatness in art lies not only in mastery but in the ability to inspire, to sustain, and to connect. In celebrating Guru Madhu Chakyar, Madhuparvam will celebrate the very spirit of artistry — a spirit that continues to illuminate Kutiyattam and the wider world of performance.