A tribute to a legend
K.K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
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Usha Nangiar performed Nangiarkoothu as a tribute to Painkulam Rama Chakiyar on the occasion of his birth centenary.
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Usha enacted `Kailasodharanam' ... and depicted how Lord Shiva blessed Ravana.
SOLO MAGIC: Usha Nangiar performed Mandodari's nirvahana in `Asokavanikangam.'
The late Guru Painkulam Rama Chakiyar revolutionised Chakiyarkoothu and Koodiyattom by taking it outside the temples amid opposition from orthodox communities. He was the only one who dared teach these dance forms to those belonging to other communities through institutionalised teaching at Kerala Kalamandalam. It was Rama Chakiyar who took these forms outside Kerala and India too.
Historic step
Rama Chakiyar rewrote Kerala history with his Koothu performance in 1949 at Thekkekara Illam (a local Namboodiri house) in Kottarakkara. Suspecting the displeasure of his then teacher, Guru Parameswara (Chachu) Chakiyar, Rama Chakiyar composed an impromptu sloka with a dual meaning - praising both Lord Parameswara and Guru Parameswara simultaneously, and started the historical performance with these verses of praise. With his Koodiyattom performance at a function arranged by All India Radio in 1956, he took the dance form outside the temples.
July 2004 to July 2005 marks the birth centenary of Rama Chakiyar. Since last July a few cultural organisations in Kerala have been celebrating this. The programmes included a two-day Koodiyattom festival by his disciples under the aegis of Thalam Cultural Trust, Thrissur, with the support of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi. Rama Chakiyar, was born on July 20, 1905 and passed away on July 31, 1980.
As part of the culmination of the birth centenary celebrations of this maestro, Usha Nangiar, the only daughter of the late Chathakkudam Krishnan Nambiar who was Ramachakiyar's long term associate, gave a brilliant performance of Nangiarkoothu at a gathering of art aficionados. The programme was organised under the aegis of Chathakudam Krishnan Nambiar Mizhavu Kalari at Vallachira in Thrissur.
Incidentally, it was Guru Rama Chakiyar who initiated Usha Nangiar into Koodiyattam. Usha performed Mandodari's nirvahana in `Asokavanikangam.'
Subtle and vibrant
Choreographed by her, it gives scope for both subtle and vibrant abhinaya, which is very tough. The story begins with a portrayal of the childhood days of Ravana and his mother Kaikasi. Usha beautifully depicted Ravana's penance for boons from Brahma, his chopping of his heads and Brahma's appearance while he is about to chop the tenth one. She incorporated the pada purappadu (preparing for the war), an acting segment normally attributed to male performers, while acting the battle scene between Ravana and Kubera.
Another facet of the purity of Nangiarkoothu was unveiled when she demonstrated the meeting of Ravana and Mayan, son of Diti, in the forest and his wedding to Mandodari, daughter of Mayan and the apsara Hema.
Usha enacted the famous `Kailasodharanam' of Ravana and showed how Lord Shiva blessed the demon king with the mighty sword Chandrahasa.
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