A chenda on the Keraleeyam stage

Samatha Australia presents Keraleeyam 2026

Keraleeyam 2026 — Home,
for one night.

Sithara Krishnakumar Project Malabaricus

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Counting down to Keraleeyam 2026

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Sunday 1 November 2026Doors 4.00pm

Bunjil Place TheatreNarre Warren, Victoria

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Art forms of Kerala

On
stage

Seven items in one evening — the temple courtyard, the wedding house, the kalari and the concert stage.

  • Women in white and gold kasavu dancing in a circle around a lit brass lamp

    Thiruvathiraതിരുവാതിര

    Circle dance · Group

    The women's circle dance of Onam and Thiruvathira — a slow, even rhythm around a lit lamp, danced here by a full Samatha ensemble.

  • A chenda player mid-stroke, the drum slung at the waist

    Chenda Melamചെണ്ടമേളം

    Percussion · Ensemble

    Chenda, kombu and elathalam locked into fixed rhythmic cycles, the tempo doubling and doubling again until the whole ensemble breaks.

  • Men in white mundu dancing in a ring around a lit brass lamp, hands joined overhead

    Margam Kaliമാർഗ്ഗംകളി

    Circle dance · Group

    Danced in a circle around a lit lamp, to songs of the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala. No instruments — the singing carries it.

  • Women in green and gold, hands hennaed, clapping in a ring around the drum

    Oppanaഒപ്പന

    Wedding form · Group

    A Malabar Muslim wedding form. A ring of singers claps and steps around the bride — half song, half dance, all celebration.

  • A solo Mohiniyattam dancer in white and gold kasavu, mid-turn beside a lamp

    Mohiniyattamമോഹിനിയാട്ടം

    Classical dance · Solo

    The dance of the enchantress. A solo form built on a slow, swaying torso, danced in white and gold kasavu to Sopana-style singing.

  • A Kalarippayattu practitioner in a low stance with a curved sword and shield

    Kalarippayattuകളരിപ്പയറ്റ്

    Martial art · Ensemble

    Among the oldest martial arts still practised. Low stances, high leaps, and weapon sequences taken straight from kalari training.

  • A Bharatanatyam dancer in araimandi, the half-seated stance, arms extended

    Bharatanatyamഭരതനാട്യം

    Classical dance · Solo

    Tamil in origin, and taught in almost every Malayali household abroad. Sharp geometry, struck heels, and chilanka marking every beat.

01/07

Bunjil Place · Narre Warren

Step inside — a 3D walkthrough of the Bunjil Place Theatre

Bunjil Place Theatre Open on Matterport
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Bunjil Place Theatre 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren VIC 3805 Sunday 1 November 2026 · 4.00–8.30pm

3D scan of Bunjil Place Theatre by digitalmedium.net.au for City of Casey

This is an interactive 3D walkthrough and needs a mouse or touch. The theatre is at 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.

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Four seating tiers

Tickets

All seating for this event is in the Stalls. Choose your row on the seat map when you book.

VIP

$500 All season

Seating
Stalls
Date
Sun 1 Nov 2026, 4.00pm
Venue
Bunjil Place Theatre

The same price all season. Plus a $3.50 service fee on online and phone bookings.

Book VIP

Accessible booking

Bunjil Place accepts Companion Cards. Accessible seats are best booked through the box office rather than online.

(03) 9709 9700 bunjilplace@casey.vic.gov.au

Box office hours

Mon – Fri
9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday
10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday
Closed

Before you book

  • Everyone aged 2 and over needs a ticket. Under 2s may sit on a lap.
  • A $3.50 service fee applies to online and phone bookings.
  • Strobe lighting and smoke are used. Performances are in Malayalam.

Kerala and Australia

Two lands.
One shared spirit.

From Kerala’s living traditions to Australia’s multicultural spirit, Keraleeyam celebrates the stories, friendships and shared experiences that connect our roots with our home.

Discover our story

KeralaRoots

AustraliaHome

Samatha Australia — together for equality, together for peace
Figures gathered around a circular wood stump for unity, a dove for peace, a flower for growth — drawn from the visual culture of Aboriginal Australia.

Presented by

Samatha Australia

A volunteer-led community founded in 2024 to unite and empower Malayalees in Australia — promoting peace, equality and the preservation of Kerala’s culture.

Samatha means equality. The name is the commitment: unity across caste, creed, sex and religion.

  • Volunteer-led community events Workshops on performing arts, sports, dance, music, literature, trekking, camping and more.
  • Social events and festival celebrations Festivals and traditional activities such as Onam, Vishu, Christmas, Eid and Kerala Piravi.
  • Community service projects Work with local charities and community organisations: food donation, blood donation, and charity campaigns for those in need.
samatha.com.au
Winny Thankam George, President of Samatha Australia

Message from the President

Celebrating
cultures that
unite us

70 years of Kerala1956 – 2026

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Keraleeyam, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the formation of Kerala on 1 November 2026 at Bunjil Place, Melbourne.

For those of us who call Australia home, Kerala continues to be an important part of our identity. Our language, traditions, music, arts and memories connect generations to our rich heritage.

Keraleeyam is a celebration of this heritage, while embracing the diversity of Australian society and recognising the rich cultures and traditions of the First Peoples of this land.

Through our theme, “Celebrating Cultures That Unite Us,” we hope to bring generations and communities together in a spirit of respect, belonging and togetherness.

On behalf of Samatha Australia, I warmly invite you all to join us in celebrating our roots, our diversity and the cultures that unite us.

Sithara Krishnakumar and the six members of Project Malabaricus on a tiled rooftop

The headline act

Sithara Krishnakumar

Project Malabaricus

Traditional soundscapes carried into contemporary indie arrangement — regional folklore, vocal storytelling and classical fusion, given new life on stage.

Form
Folk-rock · Indie · Fusion
On stage
Sun 1 Nov 2026, from 4.00pm
Book to see them

Expression of Interest

The stage is
yours too

Samatha coordinates three group items for the Keraleeyam stage, and the community is invited to join them. Register your interest and we will be in touch with rehearsals — training and preparation are provided, so no experience is needed.

A Mohiniyattam dancer in white and gold kasavu, mid-pose
A chenda, the cylindrical drum of Kerala percussion
Two Kalarippayattu practitioners mid-leap with curved swords

Open toall levels

  1. Register your interest The form takes a minute. Pick as many group items as you like.
  2. Send a video WhatsApp a clip of your latest performance to Anees, our Programme Committee Convenor.
  3. We come back to you Samatha confirms your place and shares the rehearsal schedule. Training and preparation are provided.

Submissions close [date to confirm]. A separate expression of interest for stalls and vendors will open later. Photography: credit TBC.

Which Samatha coordinated group item would you like to join? Register your own interest — Samatha coordinates the group, and training and preparation are provided. Pick as many as you like.
Are you planning to buy tickets for the event? Only so we can plan the room — it does not affect your registration either way.

One more step

Send us a video of your performance

Forward a video of your latest performance to our Programme Committee Convenor, Anees, on WhatsApp.

Put this in the message EOI - (item you prefer) - Name

Samatha Australia will contact you directly to discuss further if you are found eligible to participate.

All enquiries 0481 824 404 samatha1australia@gmail.com

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