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Perfect portrayals
K.K. GOPALAKRISHNAN
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‘Thoranayudham’ was staged in Thrissur as a tribute to Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair.
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Tribute: Sadanam Balakrishnan and Naripetta Narayanan Namboodiri, two former students of Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, paid homage to their guru through their superlative performances in ‘Thoranayudham.’
Of the eight plays of the Ramanattam repertoire, the forerunner of Kathakali, only three, ‘Sita Swayamvaram,’ ‘Bali Vadham’ and ‘Thoranayudham,’ are performed nowadays as part of the repertoire of Kathakali. ‘
;Thoranayudham’ has attained a special significance on Kathakali stages for its portrayal of two strong characters, Hanuman (‘vellathadi’ make-up) and Ravana (kathi). ‘Thoranayudham’ Kathakali was staged in Thrissur by Gandhi Seva Sadanam Academy as a tribute to its former chieftain, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair.
The highlight of the performance was the artistry of Sadanam Balakrishnan and Naripetta Narayanan Namboodiri, two of the best disciples of Keezhpadam, as Hanuman and Ravana respectively. Both of them gave scintillating performances.
Vivid description
‘Thoranayudham’ deals with Hanuman’s search for Sita and his adventures in Lanka. The artiste vividly described Hanuman’s leap over the ocean and his adventures on the way till he locates a despondent Sita. While describing her predicament as a prisoner in the garden of Ashoka trees, he almost showed the mudras for ‘between the Ashoka tree’ instead of ‘under the Ashoka tree.’ But the seasoned actor immediately rectified it instead of ignoring it as a negligible error.
As Hanuman is about to meet Sita, Ravana appears with his wife, Mandodari, and entourage.
The entry of Ravana, popularly known as azhakiya Ravanan, was well balanced and Naripetta stole the heart of the audience right from the word go. Naripetta charmingly depicted the lovelorn king’s vain attempts to charm Sita.
Finally, when all his charms fail, a frustrated Ravana threatens to behead her. Mandodari brings him to his senses.
Setting Lanka ablaze
The next scene portrayed Hanuman’s meeting with Sita and his arrest by Ravana’s soldiers. A furious Ravana orders his men to tie cloth strips on Hanuman’s tail and set it afire. But Hanuman sets Lanka ablaze.
The encounter between Hanuman and Ravana was executed with a great deal of energy. Sadanam Bhasi, Sadanam Sadanandan and Sadanam Vijayan were the other actors.
Vocal support was rendered by Kalamandalam Narayanan Namboodiri and Sadanam Sivadasan. Sadanam Gopalakrishnan and Ramakrishnan accompanied on the chenda and Rajan and Shyam on the maddalam. The performance was at Vivekodayam High School auditorium under the aegis of Vedika.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
