When Narayana Chakyar won over the audience with his wit

With his torso smeared with sacred ash, colourful attire and head gear, Painkulam Narayana Chakyar made a graceful entry in to the kootharangu (stage).
While the audience at The Muse Room in Kochi was first captivated by his ease and expressions, it soon gave way to savouring every bit of the witty story he narrated. Often equated to the much popular stand-up comedy of today, Chakyarkoothu, which served as a humorous eye-opener tool in the past, is still impactful and it’s charm, intact.
The veteran artiste had picked the wedding day of Panchali, the wife of Pandavas, for the performance. A few moments into the act, and he had already won the audience with his witty remarks and references. As he gestured at someone among the audience saying, “Here is someone who has come for the wedding with his sakhavu (friend)… Ah, allenkilum sakhakkal vicharichaale ini karyangal nadakkoo! (Only comrades can get something done, now – a reference to the current political scenario),” the audience were left in splits. And what’s more, the chakyar found one reason after the other to gently poke and prod the audience into analyse the current political and social affairs.
Be it someone comfortably seated in the front row or standing at the back restless and chatty, the chakyar spared none. “Is that the King of Magadha, Jarasandha? The old man too has come for the wedding craving a young bride! Awesome,” the chakyar said observing someone who was casually leaning against the wall, stroking his stubbly head. “Kashandiyokke undenkilum aal kemanaanu tto, Mugham kandal ariyille! (He is bald, but brilliant, says his face)” stated the chakyar and the ‘victimised’ viewer couldn’t help but titter with the rest.
Asha Das, one of the viewers, said, “I was watching Chakyarkoothu for the first time and boy! I didn’t know it’s so winsome. The best part is when the story acquires numerous dimensions through the narration.” For a family that came in with kids, it was an ‘infotainment’ session. “We wanted to introduce our kids to such interesting aspects of our culture and this was a perfect venue for it,” they said.
“Painkulam has performed all over the globe and is the best in the field now. The way he keeps the crowd engaged and the lively narration won over the audience for the show,” says Renjini Menon, one among the organisers of the programme.