We all know why Kerala is called “God’s Own Country”! The picturesque mountainous landscape, the lush green tea gardens, the incredible Western Ghats or the serene backwaters and the scenic beaches, it offers you everything. Among many amazing travel destinations within the state, the beautiful hill-station of Munnar is definitely the one which is popular and widely visited. Wait! I didn’t mention another beautiful aspect of Kerala- its true love for art and culture. And in case you are in Munnar, make sure you keep at least one evening to experience Kerala’s authentic cultural flavor. Go to the popular Punarjani Traditional Village, one of the best places to visit in Munnar. Though it’s an offbeat attraction in Munnar, you won’t regret! We visited this gem on the third day of our 4-day trip to Munnar and Meesapulimala Trek. Keep reading!
ABOUT PUNARJANI TRADITIONAL VILLAGE
Punarjani Traditional Village is a rich cultural center located at a distance of 7 KM from Munnar town right in the lap of nature. It offers the tourists with some marvelous traditional art forms like Kathakali and Kalaripayattu. Punarjani Traditional Village arranges daily shows for the tourists to give them the opportunity to be introduced to the cultural heritage and tradition of the state with some striking performances. They also arrange Ayurvedic programs for the relaxation of mind, body and soul and also provide effective treatment for health problems and ailments for mind and body.
“Punarjani” means Rebirth and Punarjani Traditional Village aims at rejuvenating Kerala’s cultural tradition. It offers two styles of art: Kathakali Dance Performance, the world famous classical dance drama form and Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala.
If you are looking for an offbeat attraction in Munnar, consider this awesome place!
OUR EXPERIENCE IN PUNARJANI TRADITIONAL VILLAGE
We reached the Punarjani Traditional Village by 4:30 in the evening. We quickly booked the tickets from the counter. It cost 200 INR per person for each show. The first show was the Kathakali dance drama performance and the second one was the Kalaripayattu martial art show. As we entered the hall, we were a bit surprised as the entire hall was almost packed by then. We grabbed our seat at one corner and waited for the show to begin with a lot of excitement.
KATHAKALI DANCE SHOW:
Right from the beginning to the end, it was a visual treat! A perfect combination of music and drama, it offered some stellar performances from the highly skillful Kathakali artists who created immense magic on the stage! The percussion instruments playing in the background added more power to it.
Besides acting and dancing, we were amused to see the heavy and detailed makeup with layers of colors on the faces of the artists. The costumes were equally eye-catching. They looked really heavy, large and highly stylized. One of the interesting aspects of the performance was how the artists used “mudra” (hand gestures) to present the emotion and expressions. We were spellbound!
At the end of the performance, the audience was given the chance to interact with the artists and appreciate their work. We thanked the artists and also clicked a few photos with them. Later, we also came to know that you can actually watch the process of makeup by the artists before the show begins. So if you have enough time, give this a try too!
KALARIPAYATTU MARTIAL ART SHOW:
Now it was turn for the local martial art show. We were taken to a different area where there was the combat arena in the center of a gallery. We chose seats from the upper section from where we can get the best view of the performance.
Kalaripayattu is a very old form of martial art and it is said that few techniques of this form have been adapted into karate, kung-fu and judo. It is believed that in the past, boys and girls in their childhood would be sent to “kalaris” (practice battle fields) for learning this art and it was an integral part of Kerala’s tradition.
The show started with much enthusiasm. Different techniques were performed like high jumps and extreme physical stunts. Then came fight with sticks and swords. The sticks and swords of different lengths were used.
The performers were highly skilled and were physically very strong and fit. Throughout their performance, they used many different types of weapons, swords, sticks, whip swords, shields, spear, dagger and what not. Two or more fighters were taking part in each of the stunts. Their extraordinary offensive and defensive techniques were clear proof of their physical and mental strength and the rigorous training they undergo to achieve this flexibility and fitness.
The last part of the show was the most exciting as it involved stunts with fire and few of the stunts were really difficult and risky. There were few nerve-racking moments and it was really getting difficult for us to hold our nerve.
At the end of the show, we interacted with the performers and came to know a few interesting things regarding the art. It was truly a memorable experience for all of us. Punarjani Traditional Village as an offbeat attraction in Munnar did not fail to impress us!
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT
- Kathakali Show Timings: 5PM-6PM (Mon-Sun)
- Kalaripayattu Show Timings: 6PM-7PM (Mon-Sun)
- Ticket Cost: 200 INR for Executive Seats per show. For Premium Seats, it costs up to 300 INR
- Website link: https://punarjanimunnar.com/ (You can book tickets from the website)
- Contact Number: 098959 99701
Tips: Try to reach little early so that you get a chance to watch the makeup process and also try to get seats in the front rows for a better view of the performances. Don’t miss the opportunity to interact with the artists. They are really friendly and will give you a lot of information on their art and practices.
Let us know in the comment section below if you liked our blog on our visit to Punarjani Traditional Village. If you have already been to Punarjani Traditional Village, share your experience in the comment section below. You can also contact us if you need any information regarding the visit to Punarjani Traditional Village or regarding offbeat attraction in Munnar and Kerala.
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