Rs 50,000 per month for each performer; Chakkulam Pookavadi group turns art form into lucrative business

ALAPPUZHA: Pookavadi art, decorated brilliantly with coloured artificial flowers, is gaining popularity in North India and abroad. The Sree Brahma Kala Samithi, a group of youngsters from Chakkulam, Alappuzha, is preparing for a European tour after performing the Pookavadi art form in China and Dubai.

With the pay and demand for Kavadi-themed dances showing a surge, many have joined forces with the art form, leaving behind profitable jobs abroad.

The twelve-member group, which was running a dance troupe, turned into the Kavadi art form by renting six bow-shaped towers decorated with colourful flowers. The group started their business by visiting temples across the state and requesting that committees book their shows during the festival season.

Their fortunes have now changed as the members of the group are now bombarded with bookings from North India. Pookavadi is commonly booked for weddings in North India. With these wedding videos trending on social media, offers even came from China as part of this year's New Year's celebration. The group visited China as guests of the Macau government through an event management firm in Italy. They then performed in Dubai as well. Another performance came from France but the group couldn’t attend.

They have now received an invitation to perform in Europe. The group, which started with 12 people, now have about fifty members.

The programs in Kerala are held from November to May. Up to twenty programs are held per month. One person is guaranteed an income of up to Rs 50,000 per month. The fee is charged according to the distance. For a distance of 80 km from Chakkulam, the group charges Rs 30,000 for a performance. The training is held in the auditorium of the Kavu temple in Chakkulam.