Legendary actor
G.S. PAUL
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`Minukku' is an ode to Kottakkal Sivaraman.
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ARTIST AND THE FAN: Kottakkal Sivaraman and Nedumudi Venu.
Kottakkal Sivaraman belongs to a rare genre of artistes who become legends during their own life time. `Minukku', a documentary by M.R. Rajan, provides vignettes of Sivaraman's life and career.
Documentary
The one-hour documentary, which was shot in Karalmanna, where Sivaraman hails from, was premiered in Thrissur. The virtuosity of the actor, who is considered the last word in portrayal of female roles (`Sthree vesham'), is the focus of the show. Select scenes from numerous plays have been included in the film. Veterans such as Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Gopi, with whom Sivaraman shares the stage, appear in the film.
The plays include `Nalacharitam' (second and fourth days), `Kichakavadham,' `Rugmangadacharitam,' `Puthanamoksham,' `Lavanasuravadham,' `Duryodhanavadham' and `Narakasuravadham.' That Rajan is conversant with the essence of Sivaraman's artistry is evident from the librettos he has selected for these scenes. The histrionics of the maestro gets highlighted through his reactions to the actions of the male characters in these scenes.
Nedumudi Venu's appearance as an ardent `devotee' of Sivaraman and his informal interaction with him throws light on several facets of the maestro's personality. Sivaraman pays obeisance to nonagenarian Kizhpadam Kumaran Nair.
Veteran actor M.P.S. Namboodiri dons the role of a teacher in the Kalari. Suchindranath portrays the young Sivaraman.
Cartoonist Unni also puts in an appearance in the film; his sketches of Sivaraman, who poses for him , show yet another facet of the actor. The viewers get a picture of the maestro's biography through Sivaraman's narration. K. Venu's camera has captured the soul of Valluvanadu. The film has been produced by Devadas Kizheppattu under the banner of `Cinemtograhic Kerala.'
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