Two plays of contrasting hues – Ravanolbhavam and Nalacharitham Day Three – corresponding to the two epics were presented at Irinjalakuda.
If the former, predominant with veera rasa (valour), supported with high decibel rhythmic drumming, portrayed an anti-hero, the latter was enriched with soul-stirring music, where an ill-fated, sorrowful hero took centre stage.
Penned by Kallekulangara Raghava Pisharody, the first play is a soliloquy of Ravana, as he traces the origins of his fame and wealth.
He overhears his mother comparing him to his wealthy half-brother Kubera and decides to start a penance to please Brahma in a bid to obtain power and wealth. Kottakkal Pradeep, as Ravana, performed the structured act with élan.
Kottakkal Pradeep as Ravana in ‘Ravanolbhavam’ Kathakali
His pakarnattam of various characters as well as Thantedaattam and Thapassattam were well received. Padams in raga Ghandaram, rendered by Rajeevan, and rhythmic beats on the chenda by Ramakrishnan evoked a valorous mood, thus creating the perfect setting for the play.
Nala’s tale
Nalacharitham Day Three has abundant padams rich in lyrical beauty and provides tremendous scope for actors to emote.
Right from the opening scene, where the hero Nala curses his fate and bemoans his destiny, till the last scene in which Bahuka (Nala in disguise) becomes upset on hearing the arrangements of his wife Damayanthi’s proposed wedding, the play provides an interesting audio-visual treat. Ettumanur Kannan donned the role of Nala, while Kalamandalam Gopi breathed life into Bahuka. Notwithstanding his age, Gopi asan delved into his masterpiece role, portraying the mental agony and helplessness of the character. Chinosh Balan (Karkodakan), Arun Warrier (Rithuparnan), Haripriya Namboodiri (Damayanthi), and Mathoor Govindankutty (Sudevan), were the other actors.
Rendition of padams by Babu Namboodiri and Rajeevan were superb. Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan, Gopikrishnan Thampuran (chenda) and Kottakkal Radhakrishnan, Kalamandalam Vineeth, and Biju (maddalam) handled the percussion. The event was organised by Dr. K.N. Pisharoty Memorial Kathakali Club.
