In praise of a teacher, performer
VINU VASUDEVAN
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A five-day fete marked the 80th birthday celebrations of Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair.
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SPECTRUM: A gathering of veteran artistes enriched the cultural events that were organised to honour Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair.
A grand five-day cultural festival in Palakkad marked the 80th birthday celebrations of Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair.
A concert of Ashtapadis by Udayaloor Kalyana Raman, which followed the inaugural function, set the right note for the fete. The evenings were enriched by dance and music programmes. A concert by T.K. Govinda Rao was a major attraction of the festival. His free-flowing style brought to the fore his experience and skill. Among the dance recitals, a Bharatanatyam recital by Uma Nambuthiripadu and a Nangiarkoothu by Usha Nangiar stood out for its technical perfection and aesthetic appeal. Uma, a disciple of Chitra Visheswaran, captured the hearts of the audience with her captivating performance while Usha Nangiar's grace and perfection made it a memorable experience.
A harmonium concert by N.K. Madhusoodhanan and a violin recital by M.N. Pramod were outstanding.
During the day, eminent speakers from various walks of life participated in seminars and lectures. Experts in the fields like K.G. Paulose, M.N. Vijayan, Palakeezhu Narayanan and poet Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan spoke on art and life.
`The beauty of Kathakali, through Ramankutty Nair's veshams' was the subject of a special session.
Around 100 artistes participated in the festival to felicitate their `Asan.' Ramankutty Nair himself performed two of his masterpiece roles - Dharmaputhra in `Kirmeeravadhom' and Hanuman in `Lavanasuravadhom.'
Master's touch
Asan portrayed the two roles with ease and perfection. `Bala Kel... ' the pathinja padam in `Kirmeeravadhom' by Asan took the audience back to the golden days when he was at the zenith of his career.
His commitment and sincerity towards the art form reflected in his performance too. In `Lavanasuravadhom,' his role of Hanuman proved to be a scintillating performance. `Bhakthi' was the sthayi bhava of the character. Ramankutty Nair handled the two bhavas in his typical fashion. Kottakkal Sivaraman essayed the role of Sita with his articulate mudras and facial expressions. After a year-long gap, the star combination of Ramankutty Nair and Kottakkal Sivaraman attracted many fans who did not want to lose the opportunity of savouring the duo's performance. Kalamandalam Balasubramanian and Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan handled the roles of Lava and Kusha. Being the disciples of Asan, both came good and performed with great understanding.
The other Kathakali performances saw Kalamandalam Gopi, the senior disciple of `Asan,' enacting `Bahuka' in `Nalacharitham Moonam Divasam' and `Nalam Divasam.' His incomparable acting style and perfect bhavabinaya once again proved that there is no other actor who can stand in for him. Kalamandalam Vasupisharadi's portrayal of Kattalan in `Nalacharitham,' Narippatta Narayanan Namboothiri's Hanuman in `Thoranayudha' and Kottakkal Kesavan's Ravana were the other highlights of the Kathakali performances.
The music and percussion department too came good. Appukutti Pothuval, a close friend of Asan, who is in his 80s played the madhalam for Asan's vesham in `Lavanasura Vadham.' Chenda artiste Kalamandalam Kesavan was at his best. Kalamandalam Balaraman, Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan and Narayanan Nambeesan ably handled the chenda and madhalam respectively.
Senior singer Kalamandalam Gangadaran rendered the songs for Ramankutty Asan in `Kirmeeravadhom' with the support of Kottakkal P.D. Namboothiri. Madambi Subramanian Namboothiri and Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan were the other main musicians who participated in the birthday celebrations.
Chakiyarkoothu
Kalamandalam Ramachakyar's Chakiyarkoothu entertained the audience with his humour and satire. Kalamandalam Geethanandhan performed `Kalyanasougandhikam.'
A `Tayambaka' by Pookkattiri Divakara Poduval was another major event of the festival. His expert handling of the chenda and its variations impressed the gathering. Chakiyarkoothu by Kalamandalam Ramachakyar and Ottanthullal by Kalamandalam Geethanadan, and a special Kaikottikali by Latha Nambuthiripadu were some of the popular art forms that were performed.
`Nrithasamanuyam,' a mix of different dance forms such as Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Keralanadanam, Kathakali and Ottentullal, was held on the final day of the festival.
The grand cultural gathering reinforced Ramankutty Nair's pride of place in the cultural map of Kerala.
The commitment of the members of `Mudra,' which organised the festival, contributed immensely towards its success.
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