Hello

The Kattaikkuttu Sangam is a not-for-profit association of professional Kattaikkuttu performers. Founded in 1990 by Kattaikkuttu actor, director and playwright P. Rajagopal together with theatre scholar Hanne M. de Bruin and fifteen Kattaikuttu actors and musicians, this grassroots initiative unites performers across styles and regions.The Gurukulam is the result of a dream that P. Rajagopal expressed to his wife Hanne, to bring Kattaikkuttu training and education together under one and the same roof so that other children, would no longer be forced to leave school when they opt for a career in Kattaikkuttu. The school welcomes children from the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in Tamil Nadu and provides them access to incredible artistic, academic and professional skills. Empowering the children and using theatre as a way of encouraging strong expression, this superb establishment maintains a strong sense of gender equality, equal rights and respect, as well as top artistic training.

I’ve had the absolute privilege of working at the Kattaikkuttu many times, and it is without a doubt one of the most important and unique places in the world. So now I want to raise money for them through their campaign named Karna's Eyes.

Why Karna?

Rajagopal and Hanne have chosen the Mahabharata figure of Karna to represent the students of the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam. Like them, Karna in Kattaikkuttu’s rendering of the epic is an underdog. Stigmatized by caste, he is looked down upon by society and denied access to competing with others at an equal level. It is their aim to provide the students with artistic and academic skills that allow them to leave the school as capable individuals ready to break barriers of caste, gender, inequality and poverty that have trapped so many of their families for generations. Furthermore, Karna is famous for his generosity.

On the 14th of April my friend Will and I are going to cycle from Liverpool to London, arriving on the 17th or 18th of April (depending how fast we are!). Our target is £1000 and even you could donate one pound, that adds up. We have 3 and a half months to achieve this, and we would really appreciate you helping.

Thank you for reading this, and if you do donate, a huge thank you for helping the wonderful Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam.

Olive x

https://www.kattaikkuttu.org/karnas-eye-1

/https://www.kattaikkuttu.org/