more-inHer performance stood out from the rest at the Ottamthullal competition in the higher secondary school (girls) category at the Kerala State School Arts Festival here on Tuesday as she rendered in her movements and accompanying song the satiric ingredient that is integral to the genre. According to Ottamthullal performers the standard of performance in the festivals have improved over the years as the genre continues to remain popular as a combination of dance, songs and rhythm. He also favoured separate competitions in the three sub-genres of the Thullal, namely, Ottamthullal, Sheethankanthullal, and Parayanthullal to promote the art form. The Ottamthullal competition in the HSS category also saw the performance of Parayanthullal, which is rare. Though the genre offered a lot of scope for satirical content, there was hardly any performance in the category that satirised social and political issues.

Source: The Hindu January 17, 2017 18:32 UTC