Novel experience
K.K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
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`Sargasamkramam 2006' showcased the artistry of some of the general council members of the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi.
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VETERANS' TURN: Murali's `Lankalakshmi,'
`Sargasamkramam 2006,' organised by the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi, showcased the artistry of some of its general council members .
The event, organised to mark the 50th anniversary of Kerala, was held at the regional theatre.
The festival began with a vocal concert by K. Omanakutty. This was followed by a brief Hindustani-Carnatic jugalbandhi by Ramesh Narayanan, Madhavan Namboodiri and Vaikkom Venugopal. Next was Harshakumar's Kathaprasangam, for which he chose Vayalar's celebrated `Ayisha.' C.J. Kuttappan and his ensemble entertained the audience with a few folk songs. Mini Nair presented two items in Mohiniyattam, including a group performance comprising three dancers. Unfortunately, the sound system affected the musical part of this performance.
The highlights of the programme were `Draupadi' in Nangiarkoothu style by Usha Nangiar and `Lankalakshmi' by Murali.
`Draupadi,' originally choreographed in three segments as a six-hour play, revolves around Draupadi's state of mind; her agony, fury and humiliation as she is insulted by the Kauravas. Usha chose to perform an edited version of the second segment in an hour's duration. She depicted the Pandavas' loss in the game of dice, Draupadi's disrobing and Krishna coming to her rescue. The audience sat spellbound as Usha eloquently portrayed Draupadi's sorrow, anguish and helplessness. V.K.K. Hariharan, on the mizhavu provided able musical support.
Kottakkal Sivaraman's `Poothanamoksham'
Although Kottakkal Sivaraman had an hour's slot for the presentation of `Poothanamoksham' Kathakali, the veteran compressed his performance into 30 minutes, much to the disappointment of the audience.
He skipped the whole Ambadi varnana, a poetic description of the scenes at Ambadi that are seen through the eyes of Poothana as she sets out on her futile attempt to murder Krishna. This description is often considered the essence of this play.
Brilliant portrayal
The finale of the show was the staging of the late C.N. Sreekandan Nair's `Lankalakshmi' by Murali, Chairman of the Sangeet Nataka Akademi. Banking on the traditional Indian concept of Pakarnattam, (a Koodiyattam technique in which the same actor portrays different characters) Murali unveiled nine characters of the play.
Vocal concert by K. Omanakutty
Interestingly, he used two traditional oil lamps to depict Sita and Mandodari. The actor brilliantly managed to connect the ancient story to contemporary issues. He also adapted a few Kalaripayattu techniques, thus revealing the strong ethos of artistic theatre.
The event was a memorable experience for the rasikas.
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