Kerala - Kochi   

International honour for Koodiyattom artiste

IN RECOGNITION: Margi Madhu has been selected for this year's International Theatre Award instituted by Theatre Pasta.

It is one more feather in the cap for Koodiyattom artiste Margi Madhu who has been selected for the International Theatre Award for this year, instituted by Theatre Pasta, a Delhi-based theatre magazine.

The Theatre Pasta International Theatre Awards are given by three organisations — Chilsag International; Actor's Experimental Laboratory, U.S.; and Theatre Pasta International Theatre Magazine.

Set up with the aim of acknowledging, encouraging and nurturing theatre on a global platform, Theatre Pasta provides a forum to discuss the concerns and events and showcase the achievements in the theatre world.

Madhu, a reputed performer of Koodiyattom, is being honoured as part of the organisation's decision to appreciate the contributions of those who have kept alive the traditions of theatre braving all obstacles they may have faced.

The award will be presented to Madhu on March 9 at LTG Auditorium in New Delhi.

Madhu, son of Guru Moozhikulam Kochu Kuttan Chakyar, who was honoured with the `Kalarathna' title of Kerala Kalamandalam this year has been working towards upholding the rich tradition of Kerala's Sanskrit theatre form for years. Madhu has choreographed a good number of experimental works embracing the Western and Eastern cultural practices.

His repertory includes cross-culture performances such as `Dragon Bond Rite,' a mask dance performed in 1997 which was sponsored by Japan Society and performed at New York and Washington. He also participated in `Flying Circus Project,' organised by Theatre Works, Singapore, in 1998 and at the Asian Drama Festival in Korea in 2001.

His other works of note include the Koodiyattom rendering of Shakespeare's `Othello' as `Desdemona,' which was also presented by Theatre Works, Singapore, in 2000.

He had also presented for the first time on the Koodiyattom stage the Bhasa play, `Doothaghatolkacham.'

Madhu won the Samskriti Award, given by Samskriti Bhavan, in 1993 and the Junior Fellowship of the Ministry of Human Resources, New Delhi in 1992.

At present, he is running Nepathya, a centre for training and performing Koodiyattom, at Moozhikkulam, his native place, along with his wife Indu G., a Koodiyattom and Nangiarkoothu performer.

They are currently working n rendering `Payyannoor Paatu,' a well-known Vadakkan Paatu (folk song popular in northern Kerala) in the format of Nangiarkoothu.

Renu Ramanath

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