KURUNNUKOOTAM

Kurunnukootam is the Creative Workshop Project for Children, commenced in 2006 by Sopanam in the village of Kavalam. The aim of this project is to encourage the creative talents lying latent in the young minds and inspire them to absorb the great artistic tradition that prevails in the soil of the villaage. Along with the Sopanam artistes, the local artistes belonging to the agricultural working class contribute their might in imparting training to the children in music, dance, drama and the village crafts.
Late Harikrishnan's (Kavalam's elder son) contributions in organizing the workshops from 2005-06 to 2008-09 is commendable. An award to the best performing student has been instituted in his name from 2009-10 onwards as Hari Sammanam. It is through his efforts that the following institutions were brought in as the major partners in this venture:

• Kavalam Grama Panchayath
• Surya Cultural Society
• Kadumtudi Kootam
• Saramathi Music School

The Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi has been continuously rendering support to this project.

The Kurunnukootam workshops are attended by children belonging to the age group of 6-16. Every year about a hundred children actively participate in the workshop which generally extends for 10-15 days.

In 2015 summer, to mark the 10th year of Kurunnukootam, Sopanam plans to celebrate on a grand scale. While inaugurating the finale programme of the 9th year Kurunnukootam on 28 April 2014, the District Collector of Alleppey, Shri N. Padmakumar has expressed his great appreciation for the project and promised that the District authorities would certainly join hands with Sopanam in the decennial celebrations.