School in Keralam’s Kollam swaps routine Onam dances for Seethakali

School in Keralam's Kollam swaps routine Onam dances for Seethakali Prakkulam Administration L.P.

Key points

• A traditional folk dance-drama from Kollam, this centuries-old art form had almost gone extinct in the 1980s before a major community-led revival in 2017.
• As traditional practitioner communities struggled to sustain the form, despite its rich heritage, Seethakali began to fade into obscurity by the early 1980s.
• Breaking away from the routine dance numbers and popular folk performances that typically dominate Onam celebrations in schools, Prakkulam Administration L.P.
• Seethakali holds a historic place in the cultural lineage of ancient Kollam, where it once flourished as a prominent rural art form.

School in Keralam's Kollam swaps routine Onam dances for Seethakali Prakkulam Administration L.P. School hosts a Seethakali performance as part of Onam celebration. Organised to foster cultural awareness and respect for the State's native art forms among students, the event turned into an immersive cultural experience for the them. Updated – August 21, 2026 07: 14 pm IST – KOLLAM.

Artists performing Seethakali at Prakkulam Administration L.P. School in Kollam. Photo Credit: Special arrangement.

Breaking away from the routine dance numbers and popular folk performances that typically dominate Onam celebrations in schools, Prakkulam Administration L.P. School in Kollam set a unique precedent by hosting a traditional Seethakali performance.

For context, a traditional folk dance-drama from Kollam, this centuries-old art form had almost gone extinct in the 1980s before a major community-led revival in 2017. Organised to foster cultural awareness and respect for the State's native art forms among students, the event turned into an immersive cultural experience for the them. Adding a special charm to the day, two students from the school additionally joined the Perinad Seethakali Sangham on stage to perform alongside seasoned artists.

"We felt a responsibility to introduce our children to the roots of our local heritage. Giving our students the chance to share the stage with authentic folk masters created a living connection to a culture they would otherwise only read regarding in textbooks, " states Headteacher Kannan Shanmugham.

Seethakali holds a historic place in the cultural lineage of ancient Kollam, where it once flourished as a prominent rural art form. Based on the epic Ramayana, the performance dramatically enacts key episodes from Seetha's journey into the forest up to her ultimate disappearance into the earth. The art form stands out for its dramatic emotional depth and melodious Malayalam songs. It vividly capture the poignant turning points of the Ramayana. "Children were completely captivated by the vibrant costumes, rhythmic beats, and expressive storytelling. It proved that when traditional art forms are presented with passion, they connect instantly with the younger generation, " notes Mr. Shanmugham.

As traditional practitioner communities struggled to sustain the form, despite its rich heritage, Seethakali began to fade into obscurity by the early 1980s. When the Perinad grama panchayat spearheaded a revival initiative, a major turning point occurred on August 28, 2017. Led by T.N. Shajimon, who documented and restructured the art form, local artists were trained to present the narrative (of Ramayana) from the forest journey to the burning of Lanka before a massive audience. This revival led to the formation of the Perinad Seethakali Sangham, a rural artists' collective recognised by the Kerala Folklore Academy. It continues to preserve and pass this vibrant folk art to the next generation.

Taken together, the developments around school in Keralam's Kollam swaps routine Onam dances for Seethakali point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.