An unbroken legacy
G.S. PAUL
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The annual festival of the Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam will be held from January 1 to 12.
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PIONEER: Ammannur Chachu Chakyar
"Pothiyil vaakku (wit), Kuttanchery `phalitham' (humour) and Ammannur `aattam' (abhinaya)" is a saying that encapsulates the dexterity of different Chakyar families. A person who possessed all these qualities and more was Ammannur Chachu Chakyar. Besides being a great performer and teacher, he also introduced a scientific system of training, a first for the art form. Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam, which celebrates its silver jubilee next year, was established to perpetuate the doyen's invaluable contributions.
The history of Koodiyattom does not tell us about any established kalaris in the past. This was mainly because adiyanthira koothu, the main performance staged by the Chakyars in temples as part of their family tradition, demanded only an informal training. However, the Ammannur family was an exception since they had a kalari since 1918, which was managed by Chachu Chakyar. The kalari that had groomed veterans like Paimkulam Rama Chakyar lasted for almost 25 years until Chachu Chakyar's nephews Ammannur Parameswara Chakyar and Ammannur Madhava Chakyar completed their training. But during a long period of hibernation that followed, there were sweeping changes in society.
Long wait
Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, who had graduated into a consummate performer by then, had to wait for 15 years after Chachu Chakyar's demise to open a kalari in order to continue his artistic legacy.
It was the realisation of a long cherished dream of Madhava Chakyar when he launched Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam in October 1982. Fortunately, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, stepped in with scholarships for the students and honorarium for the staff at the behest of Kamaladevi Chatopadhyaya, an ardent devotee of Kerala art forms.
The syllabus was modelled on the one followed by Chachu Chakyar. The training period was 15 years but the students could pursue modern education as well. The rigorous disciplining under the taskmaster (Madhava Chakyar) bore fruit over the years. The Akademi had identified the Gurukulam as a pivotal centre for training as part of a project that started in 1991. The project also covered expenses for organising an annual festival.
The festival came as a boon to up-and-coming artistes as it gave them an opportunity to interact and perform with renowned artistes. The twentieth in this series will be held from January 1 to 12, 2007 at the Natanakairali Auditorium.
Among the many productions of the Gurukulam, Abhisheka Nataka in full and Sree Krishnacharitam Nangiarkooth are praiseworthy. Its list of reputed artistes include veterans like Usha Nangiar, G.Venu, Suraj Nambiar, Ammannur Rajneesh Chakyar, Ranjith Ramachandran Chakyar, Kapila, Aparna Nangiar and Saritha.
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