Drawing to a close
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Thripunithura Vanitha Kathakali Kendram, perhaps the only women's troupe in Kerala, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
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Ranjini Suresh as Bhima and Haripriya Namboothiri as Panchali in `Duryodhanavadhom.'
KARTHIKA AND SYAMA, two 11-year-old girls, perform `Purappadu' at Sree Mahadeva Temple, Panavalli, near Kochi on February 11. Both do their best to make the performance memorable. After their 30-minute performance starts a Kathakali programme that goes on through the night. This performance is conducted and coordinated by `Tripunithura Vanitha Kathakali Kendram,' the only women's Kathakali troupe in Kerala. Karthika and Syama are the youngest members of this troupe.
The Kendram will soon be celebrating its 30th anniversary. But a dearth of skilled and committed performers may force members of the troupe to think of winding it up soon.
The beginning
It all started in 1975, observed as International Women's Year, when a Kathakali troupe solely consisting of women was formed at Thripunithura. Hearing that some schoolgirls in the town had started studying Kathakali vesham, Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair took the initiative to form a troupe with female artistes.
In April 1975, with the support of Thripunithura Kathakali Kendram and other art lovers, the arangetram of the women's troupe was held.
The women artistes performed `Kalyana Sougandhikam.' The troupe began receiving invitations from different places and gradually the dream of a `ladies troupe' became a reality.
Later, the number of artistes in the group increased and women from different parts of Kerala started learning Kathakali vesham, songs and so on at the Kendram. But few took interest in mastering percussion instruments. Eventually, the department of percussion (chenda and madhalam) slipped into the hands of male artistes as there were few women who were trained in this.
Under the systematic training of Kalamandalam Rajan, Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboothiri, RLV Damodara Pisharadi and FACT Padmanabhan, members of the troupe gradually learned the aesthetics of Kathakali vesham. The troupe now consists of 30 members and performs about 40 programmes in a year. They follow the Kerala Kalamandalam style, which is based on the Kalluvazhi chitta. Most of the members are working women.
Although, the artistes in the group are not professionals, they observe high standards. The troupe has performed in different parts of India and visited the United States in 2002. It presents popular Attakkathas except `Keechakavadham' and `Ravana Vijayam,' which contain adverse comments against women.
Lack of interest
But the troupe is finding it difficult to maintain its high standards. "The main problem is lack of good musicians," says the secretary of the troupe, Sathi Varma. Kumari Varma and Shylaja Varma are the only two permanent singers in the troupe. "It is very tiring for them to continue singing for the whole night. Young singers learn Kathakali only for winning prizes in youth festivals, and thereby getting grace marks. They are not ready to participate in a programme or continue their training," says Sathi Varma.
Another problem faced by the troupe is that its main artistes, Radhika Varma and Geetha Varma, are also finding it difficult to perform for long hours. Three new artistes, Rajani Suresh, Haripriya Namboothiri and Keerthi Unni, who are in their late twenties, have recently joined the troupe. The troupe is always ready to encourage and accept youngsters.
VINU VASUDEVAN
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