Unmatched record
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A profile of Koodiyattom exponent Kidangoor Rama Chakyar.
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Mantrankamkoothu, his forte.
THE KENDRA Sangeet Natak Akademi award conferred on 78-year-old Kidangoor Rama Chakyar is in recognition of his erudition and experience in Koodiyattom. With the exception of Guru Ammannur Chakyar, Rama Chakyar is the only survivor of the traditional school of the age-old Sanskrit theatre.
It is believed that the Kidangoor family of Chakyars, also known as Cheriya Parisha, migrated to this place, near Kottayam, from Nayathode in Ernakulam district, more than a thousand years ago. They received the patronage of the local rulers and were assigned the right to perform in Kidangoor temple.
A scion of this family, Rama Chakyar opted for the gurukula mode of training under his father Paimkulam Narayana Chakyar and his uncle Kidangoor Narayana Chakyar.
Taskmasters
"Both of them were very strict taskmasters and I owe my artistry to them," recalled Rama Chakyar. Study of the `prabhandhas' was all embracing. The analytical approach made it as exhaustive as the study of `kavyas.' Small wonder then that today Rama Chakyar is the only artiste capable of presenting Mantrankamkoothu, considered the touchstone of a Chakyar's wit. His track record in the performance of this koothu is unbeaten.
It was Ammannur Parameswara Chakyar, guru of the legendary performer Ammannur Chachu Chakyar, who had introduced Mantrankam at Annamanada Mahadeva Temple. While Chachu Chakyar had performed for 12 years, followed by Rama Chakyar's father, also for the same period, their successor Rama Chakyar performed for 50 years without a break. He had to discontinue this tradition three years ago owing to a variety of factors, including poor remuneration.
This koothu is based on Act III of `Pratijnayougantharayana' of Bhasa. Mantrankam is speech-oriented and Vasanthaka, the vidushaka, plays the pivotal role. The art of articulation, for which the community of Chakyars is well known, is mastered through the narration of myriad stories in this koothu. Some of them are `birth of Vyasa,' `incarnation of Vaamana,' `burning of Tripura,' the Ramayana, `swayamvara of Draupadi,' `Subhadraharanam,' `Kiratam,' pastoral stories, and the famous parrot story that encompass a wide spectrum of matters, both spiritual and temporal.
The exit of Rama Chakyar from the Mantrankam stage has already sounded the knell of this rare koothu. Rama Chakyar was equally adept in Anguliyankam, the sixth Act of `Ascharyachoodamani,' which was regularly presented at Thrirunakkara Temple, Kottayam, until 30 years ago.
UNESCO assistance
A recipient of the UNECSO financial assistance meant for veteran Koodiyattom artistes, Rama Chakyar is sore that the Kerala Government has done nothing to promote Koodiyattom. Even as the Kendra Akademi has handpicked him for the prestigious award, the State Akademi has never considered him for any accolades. "Despite my failing health, I can perform and teach Mantrankam. The 500-plus slokas are still fresh in my memory. But where is the opening?" asks Rama Chakyar.
G.S. Paul
Photo: K.K. Najeeb
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