Captivating presentation
K.K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
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Nangiarkoothu Usha Nangiar’s artistry and the percussion artistes’ skill portrayed the essence of the 11 slokas from Srikrishna Charitham.
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Epic performance: The characters were well presented by Usha Nangiar.
Nangiarkoothu is an art form that narrates stories of Lord Krishna. The solo performances deal with episodes such as ‘Poothanamoksham,’ ‘Kaliyamardhanam’ and ‘Kamsavadham.’ Nowadays, stories from other epics have
also been adapted and performed by talented Nangiarkoothu performers.
Under the aegis of the recently formed Koodiyattom-Nangiarkoothu Aswathaka Sangham, an attempt is being made to present the entire Srikrishna Charitam repertoire as per the ancient text sequence. Nangiarkoothu exponent Usha Nangiar plans to hold a performance every month in and around Thrissur. Each show will begin with a brief lecture-demonstration to throw light on the intricate acting techniques and gestures of Nangiarkoothu.
Rarely staged scenes
The programme in July, staged at Chathakkudam Krishnan Nambiar Smaraka Mizhavu Kalari, saw a captivating presentation of few episodes that are rarely performed.
The play depicts Sri Krishna and Balabhadra along with their friends in a Palmyra forest, which is the abode of a demon Dhenuka. Although an angry Dhenuka attacks the friends, he is killed by Balabhadra. The friends rejoice and express their gratitude to Krishna and Balarama.
Later, the brothers play a variety of games with their friends. Kamsa’s minister Pralambasura disguises himself and throws himself into the games to kill one of the brothers but in vain. Balarama overpowers and kills him. While a beaming Krishna embraces his brother, the Devas from heaven shower flowers and blessings on them.
This scene ought to have been the grand finale of the play but Usha’s artistry and the percussion artistes’ skill made the subsequent scenes also enthralling.
It was a poetic presentation of the gopikas on the banks of the Yamuna, and the famous gopika ‘vasthrapagharana.’ Each scene in the play is a challenge to an artiste, especially the variety of pakarnattams that a performer has to use judiciously. The changeover of the characters and their moods were well presented by Usha. Eleven slokas from Sri Krishnacharitham were brilliantly interpreted in two hours.
Mizhavu support by V.K.K. Hariharan, Kalamandalam Rajeevan and Sreejith ably aided the play and enhanced the change in moods; from the tempo of a battle scene to a romantic note, it was more of a poetic flow of magical fingers in tune with the acts of the artiste on stage. Thalam was provided by Kalamandalam Sangeeta and Sreeja. Prior to the performance, Sooraj Nambiar narrated the story and gave a brief description of the scenes to follow.
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