Editor's desk

Greetings! 

With immense joy, I present Issue 29 of Kural - a space where music, dance, and history meet in harmony, each article resonating with the timeless rhythm of our cultural heritage.

Over the course of 29 issues, Kural has blossomed into more than a digital magazine. It has become a collective journey of voices and memories. As we cross the milestone of 200 published articles, my heartfelt gratitude goes to every contributor, reader, and supporter who has helped nurture this growing repository of fine arts.

This issue features two distinct yet beautifully connected narratives, each celebrating the divine intersection of art and devotion.

“Grace in Stone: The Dance and Art of the Lord of Talaiyālaṅgāḍu̱” by Sri. Aniruddh Sankaran takes us on an E-pilgrimage to the sacred temple of Narttana Purīśvarar, where sculpture, rhythm, and mythology converge to immortalize Śiva’s cosmic dance. The piece reminds us that temples are not merely places of worship but living theatres of art, where stone breathes rhythm and silence sings devotion.

This episode of Aavali invites us into the melodic corridors of the Navarātri Maṇḍapam, where a conversation between a father and son unfolds into a lyrical rediscovery of tradition. Through the eyes of Skanda and Siva, we revisit the royal legacy of Mahārājā Svāti Tirunāḷ and his enduring contribution to music, devotion, and the Sōpāna Saṅgīta tradition of Kerala.

Together, these writings embody Kural’s vision - to document, explore, and celebrate the many dimensions of Indian classical arts, from the sculptural to the sonic, from the ritualistic to the reflective.

I warmly invite music and dance students, scholars, and enthusiasts to join this ongoing journey and to write, share, and to help Kural grow as a vibrant community for the arts.

My sincere thanks also to all donors and patrons who continue to support The Kural Trust (Regd.), enabling us to sustain our initiatives, from publications to lec-dems and competitions that foster learning and creativity in the realm of Carnatic music.

With warm regards and gratitude,
Preeti Sethuraman