Acharya turns 90
VINU VASUDEVAN
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Low-key celebrations marked the birthday of Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair.
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THE MASTER: Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair as Kuchela. Photo: H. Vibhu
The legendary Kathakali maestro Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair turned 90 in May. The celebration was marked by a simple family get-together on the premises of Kanthallur Temple at Vellinezhi, his hometown. His last performance was as Kuchela at Thripunithura last October.
A group of art lovers at Karalmanna, near Vellinezhi, organised a function last week to felicitate Kumaran Nair. A DVD series of Kumaran Nair's `Dharma Puthra' in `Kirmeravadham' was released on the occasion. Ashan's disciples gathered there for a full-night Kathakali performance. Sadanam Balakrishnan, who is working as a senior artiste in the international Kathakali Center, Delhi, enacted the lead role of `Rugmangada' in `Rugmangada Charitham.' A befitting tribute to an ace artiste.
Training
Kumaran Nair, a disciple of Pattikkanthody Ravunni Menon, started his training in Kathakali at a very young age. At 18, he had established himself as a leading artiste. He was invited to Chennai to teach Kathakali to some artistes in the film industry. Kumaran Nair started his career as a teacher there.
It was in Chennai that he was exposed to other art forms, styles of dance and artistes. In 1955, Mahakavi Vallathol invited Nair to join Kerala Kalamandalam. His tenure in Kalamandalam was short lived. When he returned from Chennai, he found that other artists had already established themselves in leading roles, and to gain a foothold as a performer he had to develop a new approach and format in Kathakali.
In 1960 he joined Gandhi Seva Sadanam, Peroor, as the main teacher of Kathakali. It was the golden era for Kumaran Nair's career as a teacher. The result of his work there was the emergence of gifted performers such as Sadanam Krishnankutty, Sadanam Balakrishnan, Naripatta, and Sadanam Harikumar.
Although Kathi and Vellathadi are Nair's main veshams, his occasional performances in kari and pacha were also greatly appreciated by the audience. Hanuman in `Lavanasuravadham' and `Kalyanasougandhikam,' and the portrayal of different kinds of Ravana were among his masterpieces.
Kumaran Nair is famous for his innovative portrayals, experimentation in presentation and the use of technical possibilities of theatre in Kathakali. A `padappurappadu' in `Nalacharitham first day,' an `ashtakalasam' in `Kalianasougandhikam' were some of the specialities of his performance. And these at times paved the way for bouquets and brick bats too.
Blossoming Kathakali artistes will do well in learning from this Bheeshmacharya.
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