Keli, a presentation envisioned by Mohiniyattam exponent Dr Methil Devika, will soon bring audiences into the heart of Kerala’s cultural traditions. The work is rooted in the graceful, contemplative dance form of Mohiniyattam and draws on the state’s legends, folk theatre, and trance practices to create a layered artistic experience.
The performance will be staged at The Round Theatre on Saturday, 27 September, beginning at 5.30pm. Running for two and a half hours, it will include an interactive session with the audience.
Dr Devika, from the village of Palakkad in Kerala, has spent decades developing her craft and contributing to the preservation and innovation of Mohiniyattam. Her career spans around 60 original compositions and collaborations with leading gurus such as Girija Chandran and Kalamandalam Leelamma. She has received national and state awards, recognition from the Madras Music Academy, and international acclaim. Her dance film Sarpatatwam (The Serpent Wisdom) was shortlisted in the Oscar race, while her work The Crossover—a dance film created for the Deaf—was screened at major festivals in Goa and Mumbai, prompting the creation of accessibility-focused sections in these events.
Her achievements extend beyond performance. Dr Devika has served as a senior researcher at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology under ISRO, and is now the Chief Minister’s Postdoctoral Fellow and research guide at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University. She was recently honoured with India Today’s ‘Driver of Change’ award, while the Australian Government offered her permanent residency under the Global Talent category for her international contributions to dance.
She has also been empanelled with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Spicmacay for over two decades and remains an A-graded artiste for Doordarshan Delhi. Her recent Avanavan Kadamba award from the Kavalam School of Music further highlights her dedication to Kerala’s indigenous rhythms.
Keli is an extension of that vision, where a classical form meets lived heritage. For audiences, it will be both performance and dialogue, carrying the echoes of Kerala’s ethos through the gentle cadence of Mohiniyattam.
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