The Hindu : Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Events : Rekindling a tradition

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Friday, Sep 28, 2007

Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram

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Rekindling a tradition

HARIPRIYA NAMBUDIRI

A 12-day Nangiarkoothu performance was held at Sree Krishnaswami Temple, Ambalappuzha.

Preserving an ancient art form: Artistes from all over Kerala participated in the 12-day festival.

As part of the effort to popularise Nangiarkoothu, a 12-day festival was conducted at Sree Krishnaswami Temple natakasala, Ambalappuzha, for the second consecutive year. It was organised by the Central Cultural Ministry, Margi and the temple committ ee. Nangiarkoothu, an offshoot of Koodiyattom, originated about 1,500 years ago. Till 30 years ago, the tradition of performing the 12-day Sreekrishnacharitham Nangiarkoothu was vested with the Edanadu Nambiar family.

This festival was a rekindling of that tradition. The audience got a chance to see both the traditional and ritualistic aspect of the art form as well as its refined performance.

Sreekrishnacharitham Nangiarkoothu is a part of ‘Subhadradhananjayam natakam,’ where Subhadra’s maid Kalpalathika narrates stories of Sreekrishna as she goes in search of Subhadra’s ‘gathrika’ (a piece of clothing). Like last year, the festival began with the performance of ‘Kamsolpathi’ by veterans Edanadu Sarojini Nangiaramma and Thankam Nangiaramma.

A Kathakali performance by members of Sandarsan Kathakali Vidyalayam, Ambalapuzha, was also held.

On the day of Ashtamirohini, considered the birthday of Sree Krishna, which fell on the second day of the festival, Margi Sathi depicted ‘Srikrishnavatharam.’ It was followed by Kuchelavrithom Kathakali.