Malayalam
superstar
Mohanlal
will
soon
launch
a
performing
arts
centre
named
'JT
Pac'
(Jose
Thomas
Performing
Arts
Centre)
in
Kochi
in
association
with
Jose
Thomas,
businessman
and
chairman
of
the
Kerala-based
Choice
group,
to
showcase
and
preserve
the
varied
and
unique
art
forms
of
Kerala,
including
music,
dance,
theatre
and
folk
art.
The
centre
is
situated
near
the
Tripunithura
Choice
School
campus.
"The
state-of-the
art
centre
is
designed
to
be
an
'intellectual
crucible'
that
can
shape
the
sensibilities
of
the
public,
set
benchmarks
in
artistic
standards
and
influence
the
very
culture
of
art
appreciation.
The
centre
will
play
a
lead
role
in
making
Kerala
the
centre
stage
of
world
class
theatre,
dance
and
folk
art
performances," Mohanlal,
also
the
chairman
of
the
centre,
was
quoted
as
saying.
The
centre
also
has
plans
to
launch
its
own
productions,
including
musicals,
theatre
and
dances
directed
by
the
world's
leading
artistes,
he
added.
About
75%
of
the
work
has
been
completed
and
JT
Pac
is
expected
to
be
ready
by
February
or
early
March,
Jose
Thomas
said,
adding
that
a
three-month
calendar
of
performances
is
also
getting
ready.
The
centre
will
feature
music,
folk
art
and
theatre
performances
from
around
the
world
every
weekend.
However,
local
art
forms
will
be
given
prime
importance.
JT
Pac
will
conduct
training
programmes
and
workshops
led
by
maestros
from
around
the
world.
About
20
advisers
from
the
field
of
arts,
sports
and
literature
will
form
the
Board
of
Directors.
Efforts
are
also
on
to
tie
up
with
five
star
hotels
to
bring
tourists
to
view
the
performances.
It
is
also
said
that
the
board
has
plans
to
set
up
similar
centres
at
Thiruvananthapuram
and
Kozhikode.