Enchanting Kathakali fiesta
T.K. SADASIVAN
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The anniversary celebrations of Ernakulam Kathakali Club saw performances by Kathakali greats.
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MAESTROS IN MOTION: Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Sadanam Krishnankutty and Kalamandalam Balasubramanian were some of the eminent artistes who participated in the programme.
Ernakulam Kathakali Club celebrated its 48th anniversary with two nights of Kathakali. The highlight of this year's celebration was the performance by masters like Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Sadanam Krishnankutty and Kalamandalam Balasubramanian. The annual celebration was organised in association with Bharatheeya Vidya Bhavan, Kochi centre.
The annual celebrations featuring six stories on two consecutive nights began with the presentation of the club's annual awards. This year's `Kalahamsam Puraskaram' went to Kathakali actor Sadanam Narayanan Namboodiri and `Thouryathreeka Puraskaram' was awarded to maddhalam artiste Kalamandalam Sankarawarrier.
The first play was `Kirmeeravadhom' featuring Kottakkal Sivaraman as Lalitha and Ratheesan as Panchali. Kottakkal Sivaraman excelled in his favourite role of Lalitha. He captivated the spectators with his brilliant portrayal; the cunning and wicked Simhika on one side and the charming and beautiful Lalitha on the other. Ratheesan portrayed the anguish of Panchali with his striking facial expressions.
Emoting skills
The `Nalacharitham, Moonaam Divasam' the next play, featured Kalamandalam Gopi as Bahukan. It is a delightful experience to watch Gopi's acting. With amazing ease, he skilfully brings out the character's emotions in every sequence. The master was at his best while depicting the predicament of the King who abandons his wife in the forest and transforms into a servant. Kalamandalam Sreekumar's acting as Nala was commendable. Mathur Govidankutty(Sudevan), RLV Radhakrishnan(Dhamayanthi), Kalamandalam Sreekantan Nair (Kali), Kalamandalam Saseendran(Rithuparnan), Elamakkara Ranjith (Karkodakan), Ratheesan(Jeevalan), Manikandan(Vaashneyan) were the other actors.
The last play of the night was `Lavanasuravadhom,' featuring Sadanam Narayanan Namboodiri as Hanuman, Kalamandalam Rajasekharan as Sita, FACT Biju Bhasker as Lavan and Thripunithura Unnikrishnan as Kusan.
There was purapad and an enchanting `Melapadam' by the percussionists in the beginning.
Three plays were presented on the second day. `Banayudham,' the first play, featured Kalamandalam Shanmughadas and R.L.V. Radhakrishnan as Usha and Chithralekha.
The melodious recital by Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan and brilliant drumming by Kalamandalam Sankarawarrier was outstanding.
The highlight of the second play, `Bakavadhom' was intense with exceptional acting by Kalamandalam Balasubramaniam in the role of Bheema. He captivated the spectators in every subtle moment with exceptional skill and creativity. The Kalasams were perfect and impressive. The performance of Kalamandalam Ramakrishnan in the role of `Asari' was comical. Kalamandalam Sucheendran(Dharmaputhrar), Kalamandalam Rajasekharan(Lalitha), Kalamandalam Ramachandran(Khatolkachan), Biju Bhaskar(Brhamhanan), Ratheesan(Patni), Manikandan(Kunthi) and Kavungal Divakara Panikker(Bakan) were the other actors.
`Nizhakalkuthu,' a rarely enacted play, is a story penned by Pannissery Nanu Pillai . Performance by Sadanam Krishnankutty in the role of Malayan was the highlight of the play. Madavaur Vasudevan Nair, Mathur Govidankutty, R.L.V. Radhakrishnan, Kalamandalam Sreekantan Nair, Manikandan, Ratheesan and Kalamandalam Sucheendran were the other actors.
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