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Solo theatre: Aparna Nangiar has developed a style of her own.

Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple is one of the few temples in Kerala that provides performance space for Koodiyattam, Chakyarkoothu and Nangiarkoothu.

For many years the performances were assigned to the Thrissur-based Meledath Nambiar family. Initially, the performance was for 12 days, with Purappadu on the morning of the first day, and the Nangiar performing the episodes till the birth of Krishna.

The performance is held to coincide with the festival of Ashtamirohini, celebrated as the birthday of Sri Krishna. Gradually, the performance was limited to a week and then only for a couple of hours. It takes about five to seven years to complete one cycle of the entire Sri Krishna Charitam Nangiarkoothu, which involves interpretation of all the 217 slokas.

In 1990, Usha Nangiar was invited to perform at the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Usha completed the full cycle in 1995 and continued to perform there. After her inter-caste marriage in 1997, she was not invited for the performance. However, instead of taking up the issue, she preferred to introduce her disciple Aparna Nangiar.

Aparna completed the full cycle of the story last year and initiated her second innings this year, from September 2 to 8. She performed the Purappadu on the first day. Her performance depicted the formation of the kingdom of Mathura and covered the period till the birth of Krishna. Next year, she will resume from the next sloka onwards.

The recital saw Aparna Nangiar develop a style of her own. Her artistry highlighted her strong base in the form too. Narayanan Nambiar accompanied on the mizhavu.

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