Irayimman Thampi’s ‘Keechakavadham’ is based on the happenings in the kingdom of Virata, where the Pandavas spent their last year of exile in disguise. Queen Sudeshna’s brother Keechaka tries to molest the beautiful Panchali, disguised as the queen’s attendant, Sairandhri. But somehow Sairandhri escapes his advances.
She informs Valala (Bhima in disguise) about the situation and seeks his help in warding off Keechaka. A plot is hatched and Sairandhri lures Keechaka into a trap and Valala kills him.
A recent recital in Thiruvananthapuram featured scenes covering this episode from the Mahabharatha. Although a villain, the character of Keechaka has a hero-like stature in the play. Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier once again came good in the role by maintaining the majesty of the character. It may not be one of his best attempts, but there were moments of brilliance in the portrayal. He made the thiranottam specific to the character by bringing shades of lustful sringara and veera (valour). He also brought some changes in the usual manodharma (impromptu acts), thus preventing it from being monotonous.
One instance was when his Keechaka stops himself from the usual act of sprinkling rose water on Sairandhri, reasoning that it was no match for her fragrance. What was perhaps missing was Keechaka’s unbridled lust to possess Sairandhri.
Margi Vijayakumar chose to perform the short role of Sudeshna owing to a sprain in his leg. So Haripriya Nambudiri, who was supposed to play the role of Sudeshna, enacted the character of Sairandhri. Finding a flower on her open hair reminds Sairandhri of her humiliation at the court of the Kauravas. That was how Haripriya made her entry noticeable. However, her Sairandhri displayed more of anger instead of fearful resentment. Also, contrary to the usual way of presentation, Haripriya chose not to cover herself with the veil, giving an impression of Sairandhri having little fear of the mighty Keechaka. She did well in the rest of the scenes where Sairandhri finds herself helpless while hearing harsh words from Sudeshna and while she was being consoled by Valala towards the end.
Sudeshna, though a minor character in this episode, came to the front as Margi Vijayakumar presented it with gravity. Margi Raveendran Nair, who played the role of Valala, also did justice to his character.
Kottakkal Madhu, the lead vocalist, sounded a bit troubled by a sore throat, but managed well with ample support from Kalanilayam Rajeevan. Kalamandalam Krishnadas and Margi Ratnakaran were on the chenda and the maddalam respectively and, as always, both were effective. The programme was organised under the aegis of Drisyavedi.
