Breaking barriers: Apoorva Arthur becomes first woman to study ‘Mizhavu’ full-time at Kerala Kalamandalam

Cheruthuruthi(Thrissur): Apoorva Arthur of Karnataka has become the first woman to enroll in the full-time Mizhavu course at Kerala Kalamandalam, breaking a long-standing gender barrier in the study of the traditional percussion instrument.

She received admission to the postgraduate course for the 2025–27 academic year. While a few foreign women have undertaken short-term study in the past, Apoorva is the first to enrol in a long-term programme.

A drama professional from Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) in Karnataka, she has been an art teacher, a theatre artist, and a student of Kalari under Veenapani Chawla at Adishakti Theatre Arts since 2011.

She received blessings from senior gurus, including Kalamandalam Achuthanandan, Kalamandalam Jishnu Prasad, Kalamandalam Ratheesh Bhas and Kalamandalam Sajith Vijayan.