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Akashwani highlights the radio

G.S. Paul

`Keraleeyam,' organised by AIR, Thrissur, showcased the heritage of Kerala .

MELLIFLUOUS RENDITION: A 30- piece orchestra and 34 singers regaled the crowd.

Ever since its founding in 1934, Akashwani's role in disseminating art and culture has been praiseworthy. Myriad programmes on the air apart, stage performances before invited audiences have gone a long way in promoting various art forms. `Keraleeyam,' organised by Thrissur station at Regional Theatre, attracted a large gathering, more so since such a show was taking place after an interregnum of more than two years. Organised as part of the Golden Jubilee of the formation of Kerala State, the two-hour show included a number of programmes that resembled radio programmes. It included `Kavyanjali,' `Vikatavaani,' `Gananjali' and folk songs, all highlighting the esoteric heritage of Kerala and its people.

K.N. Mira's recitation of Vallathol's poem `Ente Bhasha' (My Language) created the right mood and it stood out for her purity of diction. `Vikatavani' is a popular offbeat radio programme regularly broadcast by the Thrissur station. The audience enjoyed listening to Nandakishore, who regularly presents this on air. Known for his stage presentation of `Namboothiri phalithams,' Nandakishore's forte was satire and he targeted people from all walks of life. His 20-minute performance, though clothed in humour, was a reminder of the extent to which we have forgotten our roots. A 30-piece orchestra accompanied by 34 vocalists rendered nine poems in three different groups. Vintage songs like `Jaya jaya Kerala dharani' of Bodheswaran and `Padam padam urachchu naam' of P. Bhaskaran, which are noted for their simplicity and lucidity, received an entirely new dimension thanks to the music scored by Vidyadharan. C. Rajendran's lyrics `Kera kedararamee naadu' presented a vibrant picture of Kerala's art forms and Vidyadharan's score could evoke visual images of the same, quite alluringly. Orchestra, led by P.R. Murali, deftly accompanied the songs `Malayalame, Malayalame' (M.D. Rajendran), `Ethu videsathu' (Vallathol) and `Malayala kokilam' (P.A. Biju). Lines of N. Gopala Pillai, `Muthum vairavum,' T.T. Prabhakaranan's `Keralam Keralam' and Pala Narayanan Nair's `Ente naadethennu kaanande' were directed by P.K. Sunny. Keraleeyam will be long remembered for the inspiring recital of folk songs by artistes of Njaattu Vela Naadan Kala Kendram, Palakkad. Accompanied by traditional instruments, they exhibited rare dexterity in presenting strains of Kanyarkali, Poraattu Natakam, Pottan Theyyam and Daivam Vili. The hallmark of the rendition was rustic purity. The voice culture of the singers, especially of K.P. Saritha, was unique and worthy of emulation. The denouement had a theatrical touch to it as a komaram (oracle) gate crashed into the stage with a torch in his hand.

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