Dubai: A five-day International Koodiyattam and Kathakali Festival (IKKF), showcasing the ancient and highly structured classical performing arts of Kerala, began in Dubai Thursday, a media report said. The seventh edition of Kerala's classical arts festival is being held at the GEMS Wellington International School in Dubai, The National reported on its website. This year, the festival's highlight is Nalacharitham, a performance by Kathakali dancers of the story of Nala, king of Nishadha, and Damayanti, his wife, which forms an episode in the epic Mahabharata. Well-known Kathakali dancer Kalamandalam Gopi will perform on the fifth day of the festival.