Gayathri Govind grew up listening to stories narrated by her paternal grandmother, Kodungalloor Ammini Amma. “They weren’t typical bedtime tales, but stories of plays staged by Kalanilayam, our theatre group. She was such a good narrator that I was intrigued by the characters, theatre and stage craft…” says Gayathri, grand daughter of Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair, who revolutionised professional theatre in Kerala with flamboyant productions.
“I haven’t seen my grandfather, but have heard a lot about him from my grandmother, a great actress herself, and my father, Anandapadmanabhan,” says Gayathri. She is playing the titular role in the latest production of Kalanilayam, Hidimbi .
Gayathri wasn’t the first choice for the role. A trained classical dancer, she is assistant professor in computer science at Amrita Viswavidyapeetam, Coimbatore, which also happens to be her alma mater.
“ Hidimbi's premiere was in 2014 with actress Lakshmipriya in the lead. But she had to discontinue after a couple of shows owing to personal reasons. Since the character is one of its kind, I asked my father, who was worried about finding a replacement, whether I could do it. He was taken aback because I have never done theatre. I used to be active behind the stage and even stepped in when a crowd was required for certain scenes. He said I wouldn’t be able to pull it off and that he couldn’t take the risk. But I resolved to prove him wrong.
“I learnt the dialogues, recorded it and gave it to my father and Gireesh P.C. Palam, director of the play. They worked on my voice modulation and dialogue delivery. My debut was in 2015 as Hidimbi,” recalls Gayathri. She adds that she could not have done it without the support and encouragement of her husband, Govind Menon.
Hidimbi, the demoness, a significant yet less-discussed character of the Mahabharata, is presented in a new light in the play. The drama begins with Hidimbi coming to Kurukshetra in search of her son, Ghatotkacha’s dead body. She then remembers her meeting with Bhima, their whirlwind romance and separation.
“You see her power, passion, angst, loneliness, grief and revenge. She falls for Bhima and never stops loving him even after he kills her brother, Hidumba. In fact, Bhima leaves behind a pregnant Hidimbi in the forest upon the behest of Kunti,” Gayathri says.
Yamini, another character in the play, is a woman of today, a single mother. “As they deplore the injustice meted out to them, Hidimbi makes her understand that a woman has to empower herself and find that confidence from within,” she adds.
The role was not easy, especially delivering dialogues with power and aggression. “My throat starts aching after a point. However, I am stimulated by the background score and songs composed by Vidyadharan master. Now I have become comfortable and want to take the play to more people,” says the 26-year-old.
Hidimbi , which uses high tech multimedia projection and 3D effects, is the first production of Kalanilayam Stage Crafts, an offshoot of Kalanilayam Drama Vision. So, how does her father feel about her performance? “(Laughs) He hasn’t said anything. Maybe, he wants me to better my performance,” she says.
Hidimbi will be staged at Tagore Theatre on May 8, 6 p.m. Book your tickets online on http://catchmyseat.com/cdetails?cid=4086 or https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/hidimbi/ET00040781. Contact: 8113806959 , 9061125265.
The genesis
Kalanilayam, the first permanent theatre in the state, was founded by Krishnan Nair and Jagathy N. K. Achari in 1963. After Krishnan Nair’s death in 1980, it faded into oblivion until Anandapadmanabhan and actor Jagathy Sreekumar, son of Achari, revived it in 2003.
