Koodiyattom fete
G.S. Paul
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`Balivadham' was the highlight of this year's 12-day `Koodiyattamahotsav.'
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GRAND TRADITION: A scene from `Balivadham,' which was staged in connection with the `Koodiyattamahotsav.' Photo: K.K. Najeeb
Every January, Koodiyattom fans converge at Irinjalakuda for a 12-day theatre extravaganza. Organised annually by Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam right from its establishment in 1982, the `Koodiyattamahotsav' has turned out to be an elaborate festival that showcases the age-old Sanskrit theatre. This year, the 19th `Koodiyattamahotsav' concluded on January 12.
Gurukulam's record in delving deep into the Abhisheka Nataka of poet Bhasa has been exemplary all these years. The highlight of this year's festival was `Balivadham.' Four days of purappad and nirvahanam of Sri Rama and Sugriva preceded the Koodiyattom staged on the fifth day.
Rare experience
Viewed against the contemporary practice of piecemeal portrayals and edited versions, the five-day presentation was a rare experience. `Prathamadwithiyankam,' with which the festival opened, and `Samudratharanam' presented on the tenth day were the other productions culled from the Nataka.
An alumnus of the Gurukulam, Usha Nangiar enthralled the audience with her choreography, `Draupadi.' Presented as the nirvahanam of the character as portrayed in Bhattanarayana's `Venisamharam,' it delineated the game of dice between the Pandava and Kauravas and also the disrobing of Draupadi. Other Nangiarkoothu performances included those by alumnus such as the Japanese dancer Tomoe Tara Irino (`Ugrasenabandhanam'), Aparna Nangiar (`Kamsavadham') and Kapila (`Kaliyamarddanam'). The festival concluded with `Vikramorvaseeyam' directed by G. Venu.
The festival also brought forth the unmatched professionalism of the alumni of the Gurukulam in the conduct, presentation and organisation. Suraj Nambiar, Kapila, Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar and Pothiyil Ranjith Chakyar proved their virtuosity by donning varied characters. Suraj Nambiar's nirvahanam of Sugriva was a veritable demonstration of satwika abhinaya.
Research scholars
Many international researchers also participated in the festival. Israeli theatre researcher Thami said after watching Usha Nangiar's `Draupadi,' "the forlorn denouement of Draupadi's life had much in common with that of the women in my country that is ravaged by incessant wars." New York Times theatre columnist Lawrence Pesharaw, a close associate of Grotowski, said that the experience was unprecedented. The theatre team from Sweden expressed their gratitude by presenting the famous play `Edda.'
The performances were supported by some scintillating music. The mizhavu back-up was captivating. Kalamandalam Rajeev, Kalamandalam Hariharan, Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambiar and Kalamandalam Ravikumar did a good job. V.K.K. Hariharan also appeared as a guest performer. Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan and P. Nandakumar provided support on the edakka.
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