Narakasuravadham Kathakali, written by Aswathi Thirunal, is considered a perfect example of stylised Kathakali plays in the Kalluvazhi chitta, the North Kerala school of Kathakali. The play was based on an episode of the Bhagavathan, which narrates stories of Lord Krishna.
In this play Krishna comes only towards the end of the play. The central character is Naraka, an Asura King who had defeated Indra. The complete text of Narakasuravadham takes about seven hours to stage. Narakasura appears in two different styles in the complete recital - Kathi and Chuvannathadi.
The popular portions of Narakasuravadham Kathakali was performed recently at Kunjan Memorial Library Hall in Lakkidi, near Palakkad.
Trip to heaven
The performance began with Nakrathundi, who had been entrusted to bring damsels from heaven for Narakasura. In Kathakali, this part is usually called ‘karivattam’, when a demoness transforms into a beautiful maiden. Sadanam Narippatta Narayanan Nambuthiri performed the role of Nakrathundi. Not a regular performer of these kind of roles, Naripatta’s portrayal was not up to the mark. His initial 'make-up' preparations lacked finesse. He tried to compensate during the depiction of the padam Aho..saphalam... and, later, performed some interesting improvisations that set the mood for the entry of the next character, Lalitha, who is Nakrathundi in disguise as a beautiful woman.
In the midst of her mission, Narakathundi comes across Jayanthan, the son of Lord Indra. She transforms herself into Lalitha and tries to woo him in vain.
Haripriya Nambudiri as Lalitha in ‘Narakasuravadham’
Haripriya Nambudiri did well in the role of Lalitha. The ‘saree dance’, which marked the entry of Lalitha was a highlight of her act. Her presentation of the padam Vruthra vairy nandana... did justice to the scene. But she lost the tempo towards the end of the padam Enanka Sama vadana.... Girish Marangad performed the role of Jayantha with elan.
Challenging role
After this two-and-a-half hour scene came a show of valour and arrogance when Narakasura entered the stage. Sadanam Krishnankutti, a versatile artiste, performed the title role of Narakasura.
Krishnankutti, nearing his Eighties, stole the show with his energetic act. He came good while acting a scene that showed the King romancing his wife and also while depicting the King take on Indra.
The Kekiyattam that he executed was a fine example of controlled movements. Sadanam Sadanandan donned the role of Narakasura Patni.
Music and percussion helped the artistes enhance their act. Kalamandalam Mohankrishnan rendered the lyrics with the support of Athippatta Ravi and Kottakkal Santhosh.
Sadanam Ramakrishnan and Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair were the main artistes on the chenda and maddalam respectively. The event was organised by Rangasala, a Kathakali club based in Ottappalam.
