Architect of Kerala Kalamandalam
G.S. PAUL
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Kerala Kalamandalam, which is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee this year, was the fulfilment of a dream for Manakkulam Valiya Kunjunni Raja.
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A DREAM-COME-TRUE: Kerala Kalamandalam was inaugurated by Manakkulam Valiya Kunjunni Raja.
Among the institutions of performing arts of Kerala, Kalamandalam is, perhaps, the only one that owes its birth to the feudal patronage of yore. It was on November 9, 75 years ago that Manakkulam Valiya Kunjunni Raja alias Kakkad Karanavappad inaugurated the institution by lighting a traditional lamp at his palace in Kunnamkulam.
Kunjunni Raja was born at Chiralayam Palace, one of the six branches of Thalappilly royal family, in 1850. In 1878, he and his two sisters were adopted by the Manakkulam palace where he became the `Karanavar' after the death of his uncle. An affluent family for long, it was a meeting place for scholars. The formation of Kalamandalam marked the realisation of a dream that was long cherished not only by Kunjunni Raja but also poet Vallathol and Mukunda Raja.
"Achen's knowledge encompassed a wide spectrum of branches," said Sarojini V. Raja, daughter of Kunjunni Raja, and perhaps the only surviving witness of that historic occasion.
Philosopher, philanthropist
According to her, he was a great philosopher, philanthropist and connoisseur of arts and literature. The family had a `kaliyogam' that was under the direct supervision of Kunjunni Raja. All the leading Kathakali artistes frequented the palace for practice and training. Koppan Nair and Kunju Kurup were the gurus.
"I remember even now how Kuruppssan used to carry me in his hands," she reminisced.
Poet Vallathol was a regular visitor to the palace to see the cholliyattams that were personally supervised by Raja himself.
During their daily meetings, Raja used to talk to Vallathol about the sad state of Kathakali as most of the kaliyogams were on the verge of extinction. He promised all help from the palace for starting an institution and his nephew Mukunda Raja was told to assist the poet in this endeavour. Finally in 1927, Kerala Kalamandalam was registered as a charitable society. On the day of its inauguration three years later, Raja donated the entire kaliyogam, including the teachers and students to Kalamandalam to the surprise of all.
Kalamandalam functioned at the palace for six months. Then, owning to want of space, it had to be shifted to Srinivasam Bungalow owned by Mukunda Raja at Ambalapuram.
Sarojini remembered the first batch of students soon after the formation of the institution. They included Anand Sivaram, Madhavan, Sivasankaran, Jayasnkar, Kelu Nair and Neelakantan Nambissan. Even after the establishment of Kalamandalam, Raja supervised the cholliyattam. "Ramayana was the play. Dasaradhan was portrayed by Madhavan, Kaousalya by Kelu Nair and Sumitra byAnand Sivaram," Sarojini's said.
Multifaceted patron of arts
Kunjunni Raja was also a playwright. Guru Kunju Kurup and Thekkinkattil Ravunni Nair had donned roles in `Vamanavatharam' and `Gopalakruthakumbham,' that were authored by the Raja. He was also a great musician and an acclaimed exponent of the veena. Perhaps, he was the only ruler who was invited to unveil a photograph of Thyagaraja at Thiruvayyar. A revolutionary of his times, he never wore the royal insignia while riding. He took a bold decision in giving asylum to Kavungal Sankarankutty Panicker who was ostracised after the historical `Smartha vicharam.' Kunjunni Raja passed away in 1942.
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