Melody and theatrics
A. SANGAMESWARAM
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A two-day programme at Irinjalakuda comprised recitals, Kathakali and Koodiyattam plays and seminars.
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Cultural fiesta: (left to right) M. Balamuraleekrishna (junior), Kalamandalam Gopi, Ramankutty Nair and Ammannoor Kuttan Chakyar were some of the eminent artistes who participated in the festival.
A two-day cultural festival at Irinjalakuda, dedicated to Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, began with a vocal concert by M. Balamuraleekrishna (junior).
A Kambhoji raagam-tanam-pallavi in chathurasra triputa (misra gathi) gave a hint of his calibre in handling complex rhythmic patterns. His rendition of ‘Maakelara’ (Ravichandrika), ‘Sree Mathrubhootham’ (Kannada), ‘Sambho Mahadeva’ (Panthuvarali) and ‘Dwaithamu’ (Reethigowla) were evocative of the Semmangudi bani.
Vignettes of Kathakali
A Keli by Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan and Krishnadas (chenda) and Kottakkal Ravi and Kalamandalam Sasi (maddhalam) heralded the thodayam, purappad and melappadam that followed in the evening. Kottakkal Madhu and Ram Mohan (vocal) sang an array of ragas for the melappadam with the percussive support of Kunjunni and Krishnadas (chenda) and Nataraja Warrier and Sasi (maddhalam).
This was followed by the complete staging of ‘Kirmeeravadham.’ This story, taken from the Vanaparva of the Mahabharata, shows Panchali being attacked by Simhika, followed by the disfiguration of the latter and the death of her brother Kirmeera at the hands of the Pandavas.
The opening scene depicts Yudhishtira and Panchali during their exile in the forest. Evergreen hero Kalamandalam Gopi as Yudhishtra stole the show with his expressive narration of pathos and misery. Shanmughadas as Panchali complemented the maestro. Sadanam Krishnankutty energetically enacted the role of Krishna.
Margi Vijayakumar and Kottakkal Chandrasekharan enacted Lalitha and Kirmeera respectively.
Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboodiri’s Simhika yelled helplessly and grunted as blood gushed out, creating the right mood during the Ninam. Kamboji and Neelambari were sung beautifully by Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan while padams in Yadukulakamboji and Navarasam were melodiously rendered by Kottakkal Madhu, along with Kalamandalam Vinod and Rammohan.
‘Lavanasuravadham’ was enacted on the second day, with Ramankutty Nair in the lead role of Hanuman. Although age has restricted, to a certain extent, his movements and mannerisms, the octogenarian enthusiastically handled the role. Kalamandalam K.G. Vasudevan (Seetha), Sadanam Narayanan Namboodiri (Kusan), Kalamandalam Manoj kumar (Lava) and Kalamandalam Pradeep Kumar (Shatrugna) effectively played their part to make the play a success. Babu Namboothiri and Kalamandalam Harish Kumar sang mellifluously. Kalamandalam Raman Namboodiri and Kalanilayam Udayan (chenda), and Narayanan Nambeesan and Kalanilayam Prakasan (madhalam) handled the percussion department.
Chakyarkoothu
In addition, Ammannoor Kuttan Chakyar staged ‘Panchali swayamwaram’ in the Chakyarkoothu format. Sampradaya Bhajans by Udayaloor Kalyanaraman, and seminars on Kathakali and Koodiyattam were also included as part of the fete.
The programmes were organised by a Dubai-based organisation called Thiranottam, formed by expatriates for the promotion of the traditional art forms of Kerala. The fete was held in association with Dr. K.N. Pisharody Memorial Kathakali Club.
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