Narrating an eternal love story
VINU VASUDEVAN
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Margi Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Mukundan breathed life into the roles of Chitralekha and Usha.
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PERFECT INTERPRETATION: A scene from `Banayudham.' Photo: S. Mahinsha
`Banayudham' Kathakali, written by Balakavi Ramasasthrikal, was performed at Vylloppilly Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram in connection with the 148th birth anniversary of C.V. Raman Pillai.
The story of Banayudham centres on the story of Usha and Aniruddha. Usha is the daughter of Banasura; Anirudha, the grand-son of Lord Krishna. The two fall in love and eventually get married. Chitralekha, Usha's maid and friend, helps in bringing the two together.
The piece staged at Vylloppilly portrayed Usha conveying her feelings to Chitralekha. It began with the two friends playing and a fatigued Usha sleeping on her friend's lap. Later, Usha confides in Chitralekha that she had dreamt of a handsome youngster.
Chitralekha draws a number of portraits of kings and princes and finally she finds out that Usha had dreamt of Anirudha.
Breathing life
Margi Vijayakumar, a gifted artiste who specialises in female roles, enacted Chithralekha. Vijayan, considered the last disciple of the maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, brilliantly breathed life into Chitralekha. Kalamandalam Mukundan, who enacted the role of Usha, proved his versatility by doing a female role.
Mukundan, an up-and-coming artiste, usually portrays Bheema, Arjuna, and so on. He portrayed the love-stricken Usha and his empathy with the character was evident in his expressions and flawless interpretation. The coordination between the two artistes made the story come alive for the audience.
Banayudham gives a lot of opportunity for singers to perform and prove their mettle. Kalamandalam Vinod, whose bani bears a resemblance to that of the late Kalamandalam Hyderali, did a goo job.
The rendering of `Kim Kim Aho Sakhi...' in Shanmugha priya raga was the best example of his quality and class. Margi Rathankaran and Kalamandalam Sreekanth were on the maddalam and the edakka.
The programme was organised by C.V. Raman Pillai Foundation. The two-hour play was staged by Sandarshan Kathakali Vidyalay.
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