Kerala - Thrissur   

Presenting the Soorpanaka tale

Fiery stage: ‘Soorpanakankom’ being staged at the Vadakkumatha Temple on Friday.

Thrissur: The staging of ‘Soorpanakankom’ from the Koodiyattom tale, ‘Aascharyachoodamani,’ at the Sree Vadakkunatha Temple Koothambalam concluded on Friday. The recital began on Vijaya Dasami Day.

‘Ascharyachoodamani,’ written by Sakthibhadra, has seven Acts. ‘Parnasalankam,’ ‘Soorpanakankom,’ ‘Mayaseetankam,’ ‘Jatayuvadhankom,’ ’Asokavanikankam’ and ‘Ankuliyankam.’ Sakthibhadra was born at Chenneerkara Swaroopam in Kunnathur taluk. ‘Soorpanakankom’ (Act II), presented over five days, depicts the tale of Soorpanaka from the Ramayana. The most dramatic scene in the play, called ‘Ninam,’ shows Soorpanaka

drenched in blood.

Sakthibhadra is believed to have been born in a Brahmin family between seven and 11 century AD in Kerala.

Usually, veteran actors enact this role. Kalamandalam Rama Chakyar played Soorpanaka at the presentation on Friday. The role is considered his masterpiece. Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar, Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar, Pothiyil Ranjit Chakyar, Sangeet Chakyar, Madhav and Aparna Nangiar too performed. Authorities had opened the eastern door of the Vadakkumnatha temple after a gap of five years for the presentation. This enhanced the dramatic element in Soorpanaka’s entry. The play concluded around 1 a.m.

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