Classic acts on stage

‘Orma’, a night-long Kathakali fete, featured well-thought-out performances by some of Kerala’s leading artistes.

July 31, 2014 07:34 pm | Updated 07:34 pm IST - Thiruvananthapuram

A scene from 'Duryodhananvadhom'.

A scene from 'Duryodhananvadhom'.

‘Orma’, a programme at Karalmanna near Palakkad, brought together many leading artistes in Kerala. ‘Shyvaramam’, a Mohiniyattam recital, with which the programme began, was performed by Kalamandalam Nikhila, an up-and-coming dancer. It was dedicated to Kottakal Sivaraman, as the entire programme was organised to pay tribute to the maestro on his fourth death anniversary. Her performance was based on Unnayi Warrier's Damayanthi . Sivaraman was a master of this role. The night-long Kathakali performance was performed by up-and-coming Kathakali artistes. Four parts from different plays based on the Mahabharata was staged – the first part of ‘Bakavadham’ and ‘Duryodhanavadham’ and the second part of ‘Kirmiravadham’ and ‘Kiratham’.

Kottayathu Thampuran’s ‘Bakavadham’ is considered to be a difficult play to perform because of its complicated structure. The first half of the play is normally not staged because of this. Actors Kottakkal Kesavan Kundalayar and Peesappalli Rajeevan and musician Kottakkal Madhu rose to the challenge with their performances.

The role of Bheema in this part is highly systematic in terms of grammar. Kundalayar, though known for his Kathi veshams, proved his mettle in this role of a romantic hero, perfectly balancing emotion with rhythm. Rajeevan, who is well-known for lokadharmi style of acting, performed the role of lovelorn Hidumbi (in disguise as the beautiful Lalitha) with élan. The slow tempo padam ‘Marasadrusa manjulanga...’, in which Lalitha reveals her love for Bheema, was particularly well executed. Madhu’s control over each and every one of the padams and scenes was noteworthy.

The first part of ‘Duryodhanavadham’ followed. The performance began with the Kaurava’s journey to attend the Rajasooya Yagna, organised by Dharmaputra, and ended with their victory over the Pandavas in a game of dice and the latter’s exile to the forest. The three-hour-long performance was packed with power and emotion. Kalamandalam Soman (Duryodhana) and Kalamandalam Hari R. Nair (Dussasana) breathed life into their characters. Soman reiterated his mastery over Kathi veshams. Arun Warrier’s Dharmaputra and Haripriya Nambudiri's Panchali were textbook perfect, especially in the scene where Dussasana tries to disrobe Panchali in front of all the members of the court. Kalamandalam Neeraj (Sakuni) and Kalamandalam Sreeraman (Bheema) were the other artistes.

The second part of ‘Kirmiravadham’, which describes Lalitha coming to meet Panchali while the Pandavas are in exile in the forest, is not part of the epic. As such, this part of the attakatha is a hallmark of Kottayathu Thampuran’s creative genius. For this staging, only the scene where Lalitha converses with Panchali was performed.

Kalamandalam Shanmughan, who is comfortable playing both male and female roles, excelled as Lalitha, a role which requires a proper mix of natyadharmi and lokadharmi. Shanmughan’s natyadharmi was good, save for a few slips here and there such as in the scene in which Lalitha tries to win Panchali’s confidence. Kalamandalam Praveen’s Panchali too was well executed.

The festivities ended with a staging of ‘Kiratham’. Kalamandalam Pradeep donned the role of Arjuna, his spontaneity garnering much applause from the audience. Sadanam Bhasi performed the role of Kattalan with some excellent footwork. Vellinezhi Haridas was at ease on stage as Kattalasthree.

Music and percussion too helped turn the event into a success. In addition to Madhu, vocalists Nedumpally Rammohan, Sadanam Jyothish Babu and Sreerag Varma also made some valuable contributions to the plays. Kottakkal Prasad’s chenda was superb. Krishnapraveen Poduval's melodious edakka too was enjoyable. Kalamandalam Rajnarayanan, Kalamandalam Venu, Cherpulasseri Hariharan and Kalamandalam Aneesh were the maddalam artistes.

The programme was organised by Vazhenkada Kunju Nair Memorial Trust.

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