An artiste par excellence
G.S. PAUL
|
Koodiyattom and Koothu exponent Paimkulam Damodara Chakiyar was recently honoured with an award by Kalamandalam.
|
VIRTUSO ARTISTE: Damodara Chakiyar
"True, the recent resurgence in Koodiyattom is unprecedented; but will it augur well for the theatre form?" asks Paimkulam Damodara Chakiyar. Chakiyar's sceptical remarks throw light on the difficulties faced by the practitioners of this ancient theatre form.
A stickler for tradition, he was recently honoured with a prestigious award for Koodiyattom by Kerala Kalamandalam. He was one among the select acharyas to be documented by UNESCO. Chakiyar is also an exponent of Koothu. Prabandham Koothu, perhaps more popular than Koodiyattom, is the ekahaarya, vaachika (solo and verbal) performance of the vidushaka (jester) in this Sanskrit theatre. The use of Malayalam, proscribed to other characters in Koodiyattom, makes him more appealing to the lay man.
Social criticism and humour are his forte. But it demands a very rare virtuosity of vaakku (wit) on the part of the performer.
Small wonder then that only very few Chakiyars have graduated to outstanding Koothu artistes.
Trained by a legend
Groomed by his uncle, Koodiyattom supremo Paimkulam Rama Chakiyar, Damodara Chakiyar was trained to perform almost all the major veshams. The versatility of his artistry compelled Rama Chakiyar to include him in the first Koodiyattom performance outside India in 1980. Exposure and association with the veterans of the day enriched his repertoire and artistry. In this connection, he averred that he had benefited immensely from the performances of his uncle and Ammannur Madhava Chakiyar for whom he was a surrogate performer for many years.
"Uncle's death in 1980 was a turning point; I developed a fascination for Koothu due to several reasons," said Damodara Chakiyar who explained that it was easier to organise a troupe for Koothu than for Koodiyattom.
A voracious newspaper reader, his performances reflected relevant developments in the political, social and cultural avenues. This endeared him to the audience.
Endowed with an uncanny proclivity for humour, he soon became the most sought-after koothu artiste in Kerala.
"There were times when I had more than 200 performances a year and sometimes, up to five a day," he recalled.
Although Koothu taken an irreverent look at people and issues, Chakiyar took special care to see that no one was hurt. In this respect, he was a true disciple of his uncle.
Perhaps, he is the only Chakiyar to receive titles like `Koothinte Kulapathy' and `Vidushaka saarvabhouman.'
On innovations
Although Damodara Chakiyar believes that innovations in the age-old art form are a must, he strongly feels that the innovations should not be just for the sake of it.
According to him there are many typecast incidents narrated by the vidushaka that could be eliminated. "But there are performers who present Koothu in Hindi; this is quite absurd since humour is best communicated in the vernacular," he pointed out.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
