Plethora of talent
VINU VASUDEVAN
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A six-day festival brought to the fore the histrionic skills of veterans and youngsters alike.
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MESSENGER OF LOVE: A scene from `Nalacharitham Onnaam Divasam.' PHOTO: C. RATHEESH KUMAR
A six-day Kathakali festival was organised by the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala, and Margi, as part of the ongoing celebrations to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the formation of the State of Kerala. The Margi Theatre at West Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, came alive with some masterly performances by veterans. Margi Narayanan's Chakiyarkoothu marked the beginning of the festival. `Subhadraharanam,' `Balivijayam,' `Nalacharitham Onnam Divasam,' `Krishnaleela,' `Santhanagopalam' and `Nizhalkkuthu' were the attakathas performed during the festival.
Outstanding portrayals
Injakkad Ramachandran Pillai's portrayal of Ravana in `Balivijayam' and Nalan in `Nalacharitham' were outstanding. His performance as Ravana stood out, as a spectrum of bhavas brought to life the complex nature of Ravana. While sringara was the dominant bhava in the first scene with Mandodari, it was veera in the second scene with Narada. The famous attom of `Kailasodharanam' was a typical example of his mastery. As Nala, sringara, the sthayibhava, was maintained throughout the play.
Attingal Peethambaran, a renowned performer, enacted two minukku veshams; as Narada in `Balivijayam' and Brahmana in `Santhanagopalam.' The bhakthi in `Santhanagopalam' was very different from the teasing Narada and both were appreciated by the crowd.
Another performer who came good was Kalamandalam Ratheesan who enacted the roles of Balabhadra in `Subhadraharanam' and Hamsam in `Nalacharitham.' He effectively portrayed the tempestuous nature of Balabhadra while in `Nalacharitham,' he became the friendly Hamsam who acts as the messenger for Nala and Damayanthi. He proved to be a worthy successor to his father Oyoor Kochu Govinda Pillai who was renowned for his role of the `Hamsam.'
Margi Vijayakumar performed the role of Malayathi in `Nizhalkkuthu.' It was a rare opportunity for the audience to see a gifted actor enact this character. `Nizhalkkuthu' used to be a popular play in Travancore, however, it has now become a rarity and so the staging of it was a bonanza for the audience.
Apart from the masters, youngsters too got an opportunity to prove their mettle. Margi Balasubramanian, a product of Kerala Kalamandalam, gave his best to make it a memorable occasion for the audience. He enacted Arjuna in both `Subhadraharanam' and `Santhanagopalam.' The structurally choreographed scenes of Arjuna in `Subhadraharanam' proved this versatile actor's potential and talent. The actor has to be in tune with the Kathakali padam and the music to do justice to this role. Margi Balasubramanian also donned the role of Dootha in `Nizhalkkuthu.'
New attakatha
`Krishnaleela attakatha' penned by P. Venugopal is a recent addition to the attakathas that have been inspired from the Bhagavatham. The choreography and structure of this story made it a delightful experience for the viewers.
Kalamandalam Vijayan and Kalamandalam Shanmughan donned the roles of Devaki and Yasoda respectively while Kalamandalam Rajeev acted as Krishna.
Margi Suresh as Duryodhana in `Nizhalkkuthu' and as Narada in `Nalacharitham' and `Brahmana' in `Subhadraharanam' was another actor who impressed the connoisseur and the lay man alike.
Kottakkal Ravikumar played the role of Krishna in `Subhadraharanam' and Ettumanoor Kannan played Malayan in `Nizhalkkuttu.'
The music and percussion were equally noteworthy. Kalamandalam Krishankutty, Kalalnilayam Nandakumar, Fact Damu, Pathiyoor Sankarankutty and Margi Mohanan rendered vocal support. Kalamandalam Krishnadas, Muthupilakkad Sukumaran Nair and Margi Venugopal were on the chenda and Margi Rathnakaran, Kalamandalam Raveendran and Kalanilayam Babu on the maddalam.
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