Whither Kerala Kalamandalam?
K. K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
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Kerala Kalamandalam is likely to be declared a deemed university soon. What is in store for the 76-year-old institution?
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PROUD HERITAGE: Kerala Kalamandalam has breathed new life into traditional art forms such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattom.
Vallathol and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja formed a society called Kerala Kalamandalam, in 1927, in an effort to save traditional art forms of Kerala, mainly Kathakali. They raised funds by soliciting donations and even conducted a lottery.
On November 9, 1930, on the 51st birthday of Vallathol, the institution was officially inaugurated at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur. Soon it was shifted to Mukunda Raja's house at Ambalapuram, near Wadakkancherry.
The next relocation was in 1933, when it was shifted to Cheruthuruthy on the picturesque banks of the Nila. The then rulers of erstwhile Cochin donated land and a building. Subsequently, a dance department was started to revive Mohiniyattom.
Over the years a few other art forms like Ottanthullal as well as Bharatanatyam and Kuchupudi were also included in the curriculum. It was Vallathol's dream to bring in Koodiyattam, but this was possible only in 1965, seven years after the poet's demise.
Although gradually everyone became aware of the historical necessity of the Kalamandalam, the duo found it extremely difficult to pull on. Overlooking the protests of Mukunda Raja, who resigned on this issue, Vallathol used his influence for its takeover by the then Cochin government. In 1941, under the government administration, Vallathol was appointed at the Kalamandalam as art director on a monthly salary of Rs. 75.
In 1944, on account of the Second World War, the Cochin government took over the Kalamandalam premises for military purposes. Consequently Kathakali training was shifted to Thrissur and the dance wing was shifted to a private building in Cheruthuruthy.
Disillusioned by bureaucratic procedures, Vallathol requested the government to shift the administration of the Kalamandalam to a committee of art experts, which was approved in 1945 with an annual grant of Rs. 17,000. In 1946, though the military vacated the premises and returned it to Kalamandalam, Vallathol was forced to seek private donations to make the building usable.
In 1955, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited the Kalamandalam to inaugurate its silver jubilee celebrations. Captivated by the objectives of the institution, he donated Rs. One lakh with which 32 acres was purchased near Vettikattiri, subsequently renamed as Vallathol Nagar. In 1973, the institution moved to this place.
An academy of arts
In 1957, the Government of Kerala approved Kalamandalam as an academy of arts with a grant-in-aid. Since then Kalamandalam has been administered by a three-year committee appointed by the Government. Through the efforts of the legendary Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon and his celebrated disciples like Kunju Nair, Ramankutty Nair and Padmanabhan Nair, Kalamandalam was able to achieve a style of its own in Kathakali, known as the Kalamandalam style, a dignified kalluvazhi chitta. Today, the Southern style is also taught in Kalamandalam.
However, over the years, changes in the curriculum and the style of functioning of the institution have invited criticism.
Vallathol's determination to revive Mohiniyattom saw him make three efforts in 1932, 1937 and 1950. Guru Sathyabhama later played a significant role in preserving this dance form. However, no special course in Mohiniyattam is available at the Kalamandalam; a student has to learn a mix of Bharatanatyam and Kuchupudi.
"When I was initiated into Mohiniyattom in 1950, the repertoire was limited to a cholkettu, two jatiswarams, a varnam and a padam. Later, l learned from Kalyanikutty Amma those items that she had mastered and with this base choreographed more items to enrich the repertoire and helped Kalamandalam formulate full-fledged Mohiniyattom recitals," points out Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, former Principal of Kalamandalam.
Former students lament the dearth of specialised Mohinyattom dancers from Kalamandalam.
"As an artiste associated with the Kalamandalam for more than four decades, I feel that Kalamandalam must become a viswavidyalaya, which was the dream of Vallathol," says Padmanabhan Nair, son of Pattikkamthodi and former Principal, who had groomed artistes like Gopi.
"The emphasis should be on preserving tradition and none should forget that it is a centre for training and performing arts. The benefits must go for the preservation of arts and to artistes and not be confined to academicians. The old system of training should be reintroduced with schemes for general education in language and literature as a first step and then we can of think of other aspects which are only secondary," opinions the septuagenarian guru.
Centre of excellence
"Vallathol had dreamt of a `Sarva Kala Sala, an epitome of excellence for all arts that preserves tradition. It was with this intention that he introduced Bharatanatyam at the Kalamandalam. I doubt if he meant it be a university," says Leela Namboodiripad (Sumangala), noted litterateur and former public relations officer and author of the history of the Kalamandalam.
"Almost no attempt has been made to explore the potential of ragas and talas indigenous to Kerala. Reducing the eight-year basic course in Kathakali to six years was a mistake," says Leela. Connoisseurs feel that it would be a pity if academic degrees are made the criteria for an artiste in Indian classical arts such as Kathakali.
A post-graduate or doctorate in Kathakali cannot be compared to the artistry of masters like Ramankutty Nair and Padmanabhan Nair, adds Leela.
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