A host of people from the cultural and political arena paid their respects to departed poet-dramatist Kavalam Narayana Panicker on Monday.
Actor Nedumudi Venu, who was closely associated with Kavalam, said he felt orphaned by the demise of Kavalam. Be it poetry, drama, or folk music, Kavalam left his indelible imprint on them. The idea of Malayalam theatre was the brainchild of C.N. Sreekantan Nair, K. Ayyappa Panicker and Kavalam, but Kavalam put in a significant effort to realise that. He also looked beyond his total theatre to keep alive the art of staging Sanskrit theatre productions.
Poet Madhusoodhanan Nair said Kavalam reminded Malayalis that art was part of their being. He covered the gamut of theatre from traditional to contemporary to rejuvenate people. The rhythmic beats of Kuttanad that he had imbibed had been lost by his passing away. Singer M.G. Sreekumar said he had grown up seeing Kavalam and his brother M.G. Radhakrishnan collaborate for a number of songs. Kavalam’s passing away was a huge loss, for his style of language and of theatre was unique. “I am very fortunate because eight months ago, I came here to request Kavalam to write a song for the film ‘Ente Sathyanweshana Pareekshakal.’ That was his last work for Malayalam films.”
Source of strength
Film-maker Shaji N. Karun said their association went back to the 70s with films such ‘Kanchana Sita,’ ‘Thambu,’ and ‘Kummatti,’ and theatre as well. “We discussed various aspects of theatre such as aesthetics, energy, and so on, particularly relating to art. He redefined theatre culture, the music, its interpretation, and visual forms using folk elements.” Mr. Karun said Kavalam was always a source of strength for him.
BJP State unit president Kummanam Rajasekharan in a message said Kavalam took Sanskrit to the masses. His demise was an irreparable loss not only to the State, but also world theatre.
CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan said Kavalam was the patriarch of modern Malayalam theatre. The void left behind by him could not be filled.
Chalachitra Academy chairman T. Rajeev Nath, film editor Bina Paul Venugopal, dancers Methil Devika, Neena Prasad, and Rajashree Warrier, director Rajasenan, District Collector Biju Prabhakar, former Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson, former Ministers K.C. Joseph and V.S. Sivakumar, MLAs K.B. Ganesh Kumar and V.D. Satheesan, and veteran Congress leader Thennala Balakrishna Pillai paid homage to Kavalam at Sopanam, his residence.
The KPCC, the DYFI, Margi, Centre for Kutiyattam, and the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad also mourned Kavalam.
