Popularising a school of acting
K. K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
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Kathakali exponent Sadanam Ramankutty Nair turns 60 on January 9.
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PIVOTAL ROLE: Sadanam Ramankutty Nair.
Sadanam Ramankutty Nair, who turns 60 on January 9, is one of the actors who has played a pivotal role in the modern history of Kathakali.
The period from 1950 to 60 is significant in the modern history of Kathakali. It was during this period that the veterans like Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Padmanabhan Nair established their career as flawless performers and trainers.
It was also during this period that those veterans groomed a handful of versatile and skilful actors who dominate Kathakali stages now. The list of actors includes Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Vasu Pisharody, Sadanam Ramankutty Nair, Sadanam Krishnankutty among others.
While most of them remained in Central Kerala, where the Kalluvazhi style of Kathakali is still popular, Sadanam Ramankutty Nair migrated to northern Kerala to become the chieftain of the Sree Muthappan Kathakali Yogam of Parassinikkadavu Temple near Taliparamba, Kannur.
Why did he choose this path?
"I joined the Parassinikkadavu Kathakali Yogam as the main performer at a time when the late Kana Kannan Nair was about to retire. At that time, in Central Kerala, our gurus were still very active and dominated the scene. It was hard to get good roles, as the roles we play in Kathakali often depend on the actor's seniority.
"Artistes of my generation, though trained well and acting for over a decade, felt frustrated owing to the lack of stages. It was at that point that I got invitations from International Centre for Kathakali at Delhi and Parassinikkadavu Yogam; I opted for the latter," says Ramankutty Nair.
Grooming
He is one of the best disciples of Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair. Prior to becoming a student of Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, he trained under Thekkinkattil Ravunni Nair, the first disciple of Pattikkamthodi.
After eight years of training at Sadanam, Ramankutty studied in Kalamandalam for a couple of years under the Social Welfare Fellowship of the Union Ministry of Education.
It was while working as the chief instructor at the Sadanam that he moved to Parassinikkadavu, in 1980.
Sadanam Ramankutty's father, Achuthan Nair, was a reputed Kathakali bhagavathar, who was associated with Parassinikkadavu Kathakali Yogam too. Ramankutty Nair shifted to Parassinikkadavu at a time when only certain stories like `Duryodhanavadham,' `Dakshayagam' and `Ambharishacharitam,' were popular in northern Kerala.
He endeavoured to popularise more dramatic stories like `Nalacharitam,' `Rugmangadacharitam' and `Karnashapadam' along with stories like `Keechakavadham' and `Utharaswayamvaram.' The outcome was successful.
It was he who first introduced Mali Madhavan Nair's magnum opus `Karnashapadam' in the Kannur-Kasaragod areas and made it popular. He also played a pivotal role in introducing the disciplined Kalluvazhi style in those areas. Till then a mixed style of both the Kalladikkoodan and Kadathanadan style, now almost extinct, prevailed there.
Though he is adept at donning a wide range of roles, including Kathi, Pacha (hero) and Vellathadi, Sadanam Ramankutty is acclaimed for his anti-hero characters that wears the Kathi make-up. Ravanan, Duryodhanan and Keechakan are his forte.
Sense of contentment
"Looking back, I am contented. Though my initial years were very strenuous and frustrating, today, I am satisfied, as I was able to do lead roles in more than a 1,000 stages and popularise the faultless Kalluvazhi style in northern Kerala," says Ramankutty Nair.
He has no complaints about not being awarded any honours by the Government.
"An artist's calibre is not measured by an award that he wins, but the place he enjoys in the heart of art aficionados," he smiles.
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