This year’s Vijayadashami will mark a first in the 125-year history of Kerala Kalamandalam as a Muslim girl takes the stage to perform the classical temple art form of Kathakali. Sixteen-year-old Sabri N will perform the Krishna vesham, a form of dance that blends drama and music based on the Ramayana.

In 2023, Sabri had become the first Muslim girl student to enrol for the prestigious Kathakali course at Kalamandalam, a centre for performing arts and a deemed-to-be university of art and culture.

“This is going to be my first stage performance, and it marks a milestone in my journey to the dream career of a Kathakali dancer and teacher. I have a long journey to go in this course. Over the last two years, I have been undergoing training at Kalamandalam, but this is the first time I will b

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