THE DANCING GODS

Arjun Menon writes a letter to his grandfather, who instilled in him a love for Kerala’s traditional arts

- Arjun Menon

To my Mutachan, Ten years ago, when I decided to take up photography professionally, I remember how proud my choice made you. For a man your age and from a small town, you have one of the most modern and progressive outlooks. When I visited Kerala that summer, you introduced me to everyone as an upcoming artist, boasting about my photography skills. I used to feel a bit embarrassed.

You are my single-most influential introduction to the folk arts of Kerala. You would ring me up all excited on the phone, asking me to come down from Mumbai because it would soon be time for the annual local temple festivals. This was odd to me, since you have never been a religious man. But soon enough, I realised why you were so keen that I attend. Folk artists from all over Kerala gathered to perform at these weeklong festivities.