The legends are coming alive
SAVITHA GAUTHAM
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To whet the appetite of the art buffs of the city comes Sathyam Cinema's film festival.
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DANCE STYLES OF KERALA: Ammannur Madhava Chakyar performing Koodiyattom.
A film-maker was once asked why he made films that explored sensitive themes but had hardly any takers. He replied, ``So that even after I am gone, my work will speak for me." That line applies to great artistes, be they singers or dances, painters or teachers.
The lives of some greats from the different performing disciplines have been captured on camera by many well-known filmmakers and they will form the package for a film festival aptly titled ``Gitam-Nrttam-Vadhyam." The brainchild of Prasanna Ramaswamy, the festival, on from December 24-30, has been scheduled to coincide with the December music and dance festival. ``The festival is the realisation of a five-year dream," says Prasanna. ``These films are an effort to preserve our arts and their torchbearers and generate interest in our rich performing culture. What's more, some films will be screened for the first time in the city. There are rare footages of the artistes who became synonymous with their art."
The Kalakshetra Foundation and dancer Leela Samson are the main collaborators of the event. The shorts will be screened at the Sathyam Cinemas.
Kalamandalam Gopi performing Kathakali with Ramankutty Nair..
Samson says, ``I think the films will open our eyes and minds to our rich and diverse heritage and also provide a common platform for the arts to come together. I also hope this will inspire our younger filmmakers to explore and keep a tradition alive." Many of the rare prints have been sourced from the archives of The Films Division of India and DD, while others have come from private collections of independent film-makers.
Made by distinguished directors such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Mani Kaul, Madhu Ambat, Sivan, Balwant Gargi, M. R. Rajan and Vijaya Mulay, the shorts capture the life and times of such doyens as nadaswaram vidwan Sheikh Chinna Moulana, thumri exponent Siddheshwari Devi, koodiyattam guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, Kathakali maestros Guru Chengannur Raman Pillai, Guru Kizhpadam Kumaran Nair and Kalamandalam Gopi, tabla wizard Allah Rakha, mesmeric vocalists Amir Khan, Gangubai Hangal, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Balamuralikrishna, dancers Yamini Krishnamurthy and Malavika Sarukkai, and the Carnatic women trio with golden voices — D. K. Pattammal, M. S. Subbulakshmi and T. Brinda. The intricacies of the Dhrupad style and the almost forgotten art of shadow puppetry of Kerala too will come alive on screen. The festival will be inaugurated by director Adoor Gopalakrishnan, dancer Lakshmi Vishwanathan and musicologist V. Sriram. The films will be screened between 9.30 a.m. and 12 noon, everyday at the Sathyam theatre. Entry is free and invitations are available at Sathyam from December 15 onwards.
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