The Nepathya Centre for Excellence in Kutiyattam was hit hard by the Kerala floods of August 2018, causing major damage to the primary theatre space (koothambalam), residences, and storehouses. They now need our help as they face a massive challenge of rebuilding and restoring this unique intangible cultural heritage of India!

Almost all the costumes and decorations, especially wooden ones, are wet and ruined, and will have to be remade. Their large collections of books and rare Sanskrit manuscripts, some of them palm-leaf, are badly damaged. Six boundary-walls of the theater (Koothambalam) fell down and have to be reconstructed. Other walls have to be repaired and wood paneling will have to be restored.

Nepathya is an internationally-recognized academy based in Moozhikkulam village. Led by Margi Madhu Chakyar, Nepathya have carefully preserved and promoted the tradition of Kutiyattam, an ancient and mesmerizing form of Sanskrit dance theatre for more than 1000 years. It has been deemed an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by  UNESCO.


Please take a moment to help Nepathya in their recovery efforts, with whatever means you can, to help ensure that this iconic theatre company can continue to safeguard and cultivate one of the truly magnificent cultural treasures of India.