KOLLAM: When Dr Arun A Aziz came to the stage to portray 'Poothana' in his Kathakali costume, which he had shed thirty five years ago, his former classmates applauded with pride and excitement. Dr Arun Aziz, an ENT surgeon, had come from Australia for the alumni reunion.

The venue was the reunion of the 1988 Class 10 batch of St. Jude School, Mukhathala. Elampalloor native Arun (50) learned Kathakali during his school days. He had garnered the attention of many at school arts festivals as a Muslim boy who performed Kathakali. He had also won the title of 'Kalaprathibha' in the district arts festival. He had also participated in state competitions.

He did not continue performing Kathakali after his school days. He used to perform other dance forms. Dr Arun, who is working in Australia, regularly attends school reunions.He decided to perform Kathakali this time on the insistence of his classmates. Arun's kathakali guru is Kalamandalam Rajeev Namboothiri. Arun had performed a dance with Methil Devika two years ago.