Tales from the Ramayana
A. SANGAMESWARAN
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`Kharavadam' was staged at Irinjalakuda by the women's wing of Thripunithura Kathakali Kendram.
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OF LOVE AND VALOUR: A scene from `Kharavadam.'
Raamanattom, progenitor of Kathakali, which was composed by Kottarakkara Thampuran, comprises eight plays - `Puthrakameshti,' `Seethaswayamvaram,' `Vichinnabhishekam,' `Kharavadham,' `Baalivadham,' `Thoranayudham,' `Sethubandanam' and `Yudham.' Out of the eight, only three or four plays are still staged.
On the stage again
`Kharavadam' was one play that had been confined to the texts until it was staged by the women's wing of Thripunithura Kathakali Kendram as part of a project. It was staged at Irinjalakuda under the aegis of Dr. K. N. Pisharody Kathakali Club.
The play begins with Shoorpanaka wandering in the forest in search of a life partner. At Panchavadi, she happens to see Rama and Lakshmana. Although she tries to catch their attention in the guise of Lalitha, their rejection infuriates her and she attacks them. Her mutilation by Lakshmana angers Khara who confronts the brothers. Khara is defeated by Lord Rama. Prameela Vijayan's expressions captured the fleeting emotions of Shoorpanaka. Haripriya Namboodiri as Lalitha rose to the occasion and her portrayal of Lalitha's attempts to entice the brothers need special mention. Ranjini Suresh as valorous Khara excelled, especially during the enactment of Padappurappad. Maya Nelliyode (as Lakshmana), whose mannerisms resemble that of her illustrious father, Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri, and Radhika Ajayan (as Rama) contributed to the success of the play. Kumari Varma and Shylaja Varma were the singers while Kalamandalam Raman Namboodiri and Kalanilayam Sankaradas were on the chenda and the madhalam respectively.
The women's wing has performed all over Kerala with a wide range of plays. The troupe secured another first to their credit with `Kharavadham,' as they took up a play with an important `Karivesham.' Moreover, Padappurappad, an expression of bravery by a `Kathivesham,' was incorporated for the first time.
Adds Ranjini "We are indebted to FACT Padmanabhan who choreographed this play after editing the original, without losing its flow and continuity. He was helepd by E.N.Narayanan and Sherthallah Thankappa Panicker."
The support and accolades earned by the women vouch for the talent, dedication and hard work of the women.
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