Fr Abel remembered

KOCHI: Fr Abel, founder of Kalabhavan, who was instrumental in tapping and promoting many talents, was remembered here on his tenth death anniversary.“Fr Abel lives in our mind.It is a great honour for me to say that I started my artistic career from Kalabhavan,” said actor Harishri Asokan, who was modelled at Kalabhavan, the centre of performing arts started by none other than Fr Abel.Director Siddique, actors Jairam, Dileep, Kalabhavan Mani, the late Cochin Haneefa and Sainuddin are among those who framed their talents at Kalabhavan.Kalabhavan president James Kulathunkal while remembering Fr Abel said: “He was an excellent coordinator and a down-to-earth man. ‘Eswvarane thedi...,’ the devotional song written by Fr Abel embellishes his perspective about life and spirituality.” Fr Abel had played a crucial role in transforming Kalabhavan into a huge organisation.Kalabhavan stands for the promotion of cultural talents, on a scale never before attempted by any other organisation.Founded on September 3, 1969, Kalabhavan now has about 4,000 students who are learning various disciplines of fine arts.Nearly 60,000 students have completed their studies at Kalabhavan till date.Kalabhavan treasurer, Fr Cherian Kuniyanthodath, R K Damodaran, K S Prasad, Andrew Nettikadan, John Bosco and Ali Akbar were also present in the function.