ARPO collaborates with Calicut Museum for Kozhikode Vaayo
ARPO celebrates Kozhikode Vaayo by redefining the museum spaces in Kozhikode, encouraging cultural experiences and dialogues through people's participation and government-private sector collaboration
On 22nd and 23rd of November, ARPO celebrated its Vaayo fest at Kozhikode, celebrating Kerala’s rich, diverse and pluralistic culture.
The event was held at Vettaths on 22nd November with a talk by Sruthin, co-founder of ARPO, a documentary screening of unique cultural practices like Payel Iruthal by Mannan Community, Balikkala of Malayar, and traditional architectural conservation practices were played at the venue. An interactive discussion followed with the audience on how the documentaries were made, and the ARPO team shared their experiences.
On Sunday, 24th November, Vaayo Kozhikode moved on to Krishna Menon Museum to further celebrate and converse on the cultural heritage of the land. Through the collaboration, ARPO and the Museum explored the possibility of bringing people to the Museum spaces for cultural heritage appreciation and celebration.
A heritage walk led by Sruthin, co-founder of ARPO, explored the various historical points through the Westhill - Easthill region of Kozhikode. Historic monuments of Canoli Canal, Westhill Barracks, Free Masons Hall, Krishna Menon Museum etc. were explored during the walk, sharing stories behind them.
Kozhikode Heritage walk led by Sruthin as part of Kozhikode Vaayo
A talk and discussion by multiple heritage experts on various historical eras of Kozhikode was conducted as part of the program. Historians like V.V. Haridas, Ajmal Mueen, T.B. Seluraj, and K.P. Rajesh shared their expertise, facts, findings, and stories about the history and heritage of Kozhikode. While K.P.Rajesh shared interesting insights on the prehistoric era of Kozhikode, V.V. Haridas delved into the Zamorin's rule of Kozhikode, and its historic narratives. Ajmal Mueen shared interesting insights on the Arabic trade influence and its cultural context in shaping Kozhikode's history. T.B. Seluraj shared historic narratives on the colonial history of Kozhikode.
Historians presenting their narration on Kozhikode's cultural heritage
A documentary screening was conducted with cultural documentaries on Irular and Kothar tribes, highlighting their rich musical culture, traditional performances, and the traditional values they resonate.
Shots from documentaries 'Velke Velke' and 'Emut Attam Pattu'
Post lunch, the event made way to cultural performances. A workshop on Kolkali was organised by Yasir Gurukkal and team, explaining the various rhythms and movements of Kolkali along with its history and cultural significance.
Kolkali workshop by Yasir Gurukkal and team during Kozhikode Vaayo
A Choottukali performance was also organised at the venue by P. Govinda Smaraka Thirayatta Kalasamithi.
Choottukali performance by P.Govinda Smaraka Thirayatta Kalasamithi during Kozhikode Vaayo
Vaayo Fest moves on to TinkerHub on 30th November 2025, exploring synergy between cultural heritage, technology, innovation and design.
