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Kathakali goes abroad
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A group of Kathakali artistes, handpicked from institutions across Kerala, will tour the U.S. performing and conducting workshops. RUPA SRIKANTH writes...
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Kottakkal Chandrasekharan as Nala in "Nala Charithram"
Sadanam Krishnan Kutty in "Bali Vadham."
MEETING THE group of relaxed artistes on the eve of the biggest Kathakali tour ever to the United States of America, one could not perceive how each of them could turn into the larger-than-life characters that are typical of this classical form of dance theatre. Histrionics would soon transform the now benign-looking group into Messiahs of revenge, death and destruction, keeping the viewer spellbound. These skilled actors and musicians handpicked from various cultural institutions across Kerala for a hectic two-month tour organised by the non-profit cultural organisation ANAMICA, will present performances and workshops across the country, the most prestigious being the one presented by the World Music Institute in Broadway, following their premiere in Atlanta.
Margi Vijaykumar as Damayanti in "Nala Charithram"
Kathakali can qualify as one of the complex performing art forms of India, the elaborate make up code, costuming and language of gestures contributing to the complexity. No modification to the style is allowed. Even the contemporary compositions retain the grammar intact. It is therefore difficult to follow, and to simplify the process the organisers of the tour have arranged for a line by line, or a scene by scene translation to be displayed on screens by the side of the stage. The all-night renditions traditionally performed in spacious temple courtyards or in the homes of the landed gentry, have been condensed into two and a half hour capsules, the space adjusted to suit modern prosceniums, with presentations ranging from the traditional repertoire of ``Bali Vadham," ``Nalacharitham," ``Duryodhana Vadham" and others, to new choreographies like ``Magdalana Mariam" from the Bible.
Dinakar Panicker as Dusasana in "Duryodhana Vadham."
The Kathakali ensemble comprising five dancers, two singers, two drummers and a make-up artist, the minimum necessary to stage a performance, is led by senior performing artiste Sadanam Krishnan Kutty, accompanied by Kottakal Chandrasekharan, Kavungal Divakara Panickar, Margi Raveendran and Margi Vijayakumar, a specialist female impersonator. The main vocalist is Kalamandalam Hyder Ali, assistant vocalist Kalanilayam Rajeevan, with the accompanists Kalamandalam Raman Namboothiry on the chenda and Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair on the maddalam. The chutti expert Kalamandalam Satheesan completes the cast.
Marga Raveendran Nair as Krishna in "Duryodhana Vadham"
Kathakali is one performing art that has remained a male stronghold. The strenuous training that begins at 4 a.m. and lasts through the day, the special oil massage the performers have to undergo to keep the body supple during the rainy season, and the rigorous performing schedules are cited as reasons for this, though the artists are quick to point out that women are being admitted for short term training. One later learns that Mohiniyattom dancer Kalamandalam Radhika who has also had training in Kathakali is accompanying this group to help with the presentation aspects — some salve for the female aspirant! Though its patronage dwindled with the decline of the royalty, Kathakali is still received with tremendous enthusiasm in its homeland, Kerala. It is only the opportunities outside that are minimal, and in this context it is heartening to know that theatre companies around the world are realising the potential of Kathakali, one of the oldest theatre styles in the world, especially the training where the dancers are taught to isolate each facial muscle while emoting. The dance troupe has been invited to present workshops for the theatre departments of some American Universities that are engaged in such research. Perhaps they will be invited here too by our local art patrons and academics?
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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