Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Doyenne of Koodiyattom

Bhawani Cheerath

Margi Sathi makes her debut on the silver screen as a Koodiyattom artiste in `Nottam.'

Photo: S. Gopakumar

A NICHE OF HER OWN: Margi Sathi dons the role of Saraswathi Nangiyar in `Nottam.'

A little over six months ago when Margi Sathi decided to take up the role of Saraswathi Nangiyar for the film `Nottam,' she was taking up the challenge of moving into a new medium and portraying the personal angst of a Koodiyattom artiste.

"Television or film as a medium holds no special charm for me, but the theme which relied heavily on Koodiyattam gave the feeling that here was yet another opportunity to reach this traditional art form to a larger public," explains the Nangiarkoothu performer, after her maiden tryst with celluloid.

Gutsy choice

Tenacity, grit, courage must have been part of her personality, as she is trained in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattom and Koodiyattom in Kerala Kalamandalam. She, however, chose to focus her energies on Nangiarkoothu, at a time when audience appreciation and understanding about the art form was at a low ebb. That these qualities continue to be the source of strength for this artiste who places her dedication and duty above all else was proved yet again, when she donned greasepaint, without giving herself the time to recover from the grief of losing her husband, Subramaniam Potti, who was electrocuted on the sets on `Nottam.' In fact, the film has been dedicated to his memory.

Having given her best in the film she has already had to answer this question many times over - "Will you take up future assignments in film?"

Undecided about the future, Sathi seems relieved on more than one count. She has not let down the team that reposed faith in her ability to get into the skin of the role of Nangiyaramma in `Nottam,' and that there has been no dilution of the form when used for the film.

According to Sathi, a live Koodiyattam performance and doing the same for the film has its differences. "Audience reactions are immediate in a live performance. The recital is totally within the control of the performer whereas it is not so in films. On the sets, it's a piecemeal exercise and less exacting," explains Sathi.

Blurred distinctions

Learning to perform before the camera was made easier with the constant guidance and encouragement she received from the thespian Nedumudi Venu who dons the role of Vasudeva Chakyar. Emoting was not a difficult task says Sathi, "because the story also includes an element of tragedy and, it gave me the feel that in some places the distinction between the reel and the real was getting blurred."

Striking a very personal note Sathi adds, "It was only when I returned from Pattambi after a fortnight of continuous shooting on location that I realised how well each member of the unit had taken care to see that I was never left alone to brood and grieve."

As she scales new heights, Sathi seems unaffected about the peaks attained. To live in public memory as Saraswathi Nangiyar of `Nottam' or Margi Sathi, the doyenne of Koodiyattam, is something that she will have to give serious thought to. When Sathi does make a choice, one can only earnestly hope that the loss is not Koodiyattom's.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail