Of heroes, villains and demons

An event in Karalmanna celebrated the legacy of Vazhenkada Kunju Nair by organising an overnight performance of Kathakali plays

Madavur Vasudevan Nair as Keechaka in Keechakavadham Kathakali

Veteran Kathakali artistes such as Madavur Vasudevan Nair, Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier and Kottakkal Nandakumaran Nair came up with memorable performances at a Kathakali fete at Karalmanna. The programme was organised to observe Vazhenkada Kunju Nair's first performance nine decades ago.

Vasudevan Nair performed the role of Keechaka with ease. Although the performance was abridged to two scenes, the monarch of ‘Kaplingadan chitta’ enthralled the audience. Right from the first scene (Thiranottam) to a brief but poetic manodharma attam that narrates the beauty of Malini, Vasudevan Nair was in his element.

Interesting presentation

The presentation of ‘pathinja padam’

Malinee...ruchira guna salinee... was the pick of the evening. Madavur portrayed the stanza, which was an interesting and not-very-familiar experience for Kathakali enthusiasts in North Kerala. Sadanam Sadanandan enacted the role of Sairandhri with panache.

Unabridged performances of

Rugmamgadacharitham and

Narakasuravadham followed.

Rugmamgadacharitham is famous for its celebration of devotion to Lord Krishna. Chandrasekhara Warrier’s mastery over ‘pacha’ (noble) roles made the play a treat for the viewers. Warrier essayed the role of King Rukmamgadan effortlessly. Even though the first scene depicting Rukmamgadan meeting Mohini and falling in love with her became a little lengthy, he was in command of the situation in the next scene. Without giving in to melodrama, he enacted the King’s emotional spectrum. Veteran Kalamandalam Rajasekharan donned the role of Mohini who was sent to test the sincerity of the King’s devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Nandakumaran Nair as Narakasura in Narakasuravadham

Narakasuravadham, the last play performed that evening, had Kalamandalam Manoj, a gifted actor, in the role of Nakrathundi. His initial solo performance narrates the preparation for the demon princess’ journey to heaven. Apt improvisations made the portrayal an interesting one for the audience.

Kalamandalam Vijayakumar (Champakkara) enacted the role of Lalitha who tries to woo Jayantha, son of Indra. However, Vijayakumar, though attractive in his make-up and costume, could not do much to infuse life into the presentation of the padam Vruthra vairy nandana... Nevertheless, he was in form towards the end of his performance. Kottakkal C.M. Unnikrishnan did well in the role of Jayantha. Narakasuran, the anti-hero of the play, enters the stage nearly four-and-a-half hours after the commencement of the play.

Veteran’s touch

Kottakkal Nandakumaran Nair enacted the role with his perfect gestures and kalasams. The play moved into top gear when Kottakkal Devadas came in the role of Narakasura. Devadas’s stormy entry and energetic movements gave a new dimension to the play.

Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier as King Rugmamgadha

Many young performers also made a mark. Kottakkal Pradeep as Krishna in Narakasuravadham and Brahmin in Rugmamgadacharitham was one such actor who stood out. Vishnu Vellekkad, Kottakkal Balanarayanan and Kottakkal Shijith also did well in their roles. Kumari Adrija Narayanan essayed the role of Dharmangada.

Musicians and percussionists also played an important part in the success of the programme. Kottakkal Narayanan, Kalamandalam Babu Nambudri, Nedumpally Rammohan and Vengeri Narayanan were the singers. Kottakkal Prasad, Sadanam Ramakrishnan, Kalamandalam Venumohan and Sadanam Jithin were on the chenda while Sadanam Devadas, Kalamandalam Venu, Cherpulasseri Hariharan and Karalmanna Prasad played the maddalam. Th event was organised by Kunju Nair Memorial Trust.