With just huge trees and idols in the backdrop, a performance of Koodiyattam came as a refreshing change at Public Gardens adjacent to the State Archaelogical Museum last weekend. There were no harsh lights for this performance and as is the ritual there was a lighted lamp in the centre of the stage.
Telangana Tourism, State Archaeological Museum and Nartanam brought Kalamandalam artistes from Thiruvanthapuram to perform the play Thoranayudham , describing ‘Kailasodharanam’ and ‘Parvathi Viraham’. Before the start of the main play, Charu Agaru exhibited the various characters of the play – Ravana, Hanuman, Siva and Parvati and also the depiction of other elements like fish and lotus.
There was instrumental music playing prior to the performance which set the tone for the evening. The play began with artistes performing on the Mizhavu drums. The curtain is slowly brought down for the play to begin and Kalamandalam Sangeeth Chayar took centre stage.
The play began with Ravana recollecting his past after Hanuman has destroyed Lanka, also the lifting of Mount Kailash.
Ravana angered by the words of a messenger from Vaisaravana goes to Alakapuri, defeats him and takes possession of Pushpakavimanam. On his return, the chariot gets stuck at Mount Kailash. Ravana then lifts the mountain in his hands. At that time there was a heated debate going on between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati over Ganga in his locks and Parvati decides to leave Kailash. Due to the vibrations of the mountain, Parvati gets scared and thinks it is Shiva’s anger and decides to return to her Lord. Shiva then puts a heavy foot on the mountain, and Ravana’s hands come under it.
Hearing his cries, the Lord understands that it was Ravana, who shook the mountain. Shiva blesses Ravana pleased at his act and devotion with sword Chandrahasam. The 10-headed Ravana mocks at the couple, who in turn curse him. Hanuman’s destruction of Lanka is this curse, Ravana feels and waits for his brother Vibhishana, when the curtain falls.
Kalamandalam Sangeeth, who enacted the four characters, displayed each character to perfection. In the first part, which is the purappadu, the actor performed a verse along with nritta. By slightly rearranging his body and adjusting his costume, the actor displayed a fascinating gender switch. He, however, displayed Goddess Parvati’s look of catching her hair in one hand and with the other her sari so beautifully all standing on a stool. At one moment, Lord Shiva and in another moment Paravati was awesome.
The actor aptly described the facial and eye expressions and mudras of different characters with ease, grace and perfection. Sounds produced on the mizhavu and edakka highlighted the presentation. The percussion artists need a word of praise for the tremendous energy throughout the performance.
