The making of a maestro

Vesham: Kalamandalam Gopi fleshes out how the Kathakali thespian has become synonymous with the art form.

Kalamandalam Gopi in full regalia in the documentary 'Vesham:Kalamandalam Gopi'

V

esham: Kalamandalam Gopi is surely not the first documentary on the Kathakali maestro and in all probability will not be the last. Every time the camera is trained on this amazing actor new facets of his life and career emerge. But what makes this film special is the extraordinary bond that exists between Gopi and Radhakrishna Varier, who has conceived and directed it.

For more than three decades Varier, a professional photographer, has been relentlessly following the maestro capturing his life and career. He has conducted numerous photo exhibitions on Gopi and other classical art forms. One of his shows, titled ‘Vesham: Kalamandalam Gopi’, was a selection of photographs from a huge collection that is a faithful portrayal of the actor.

Now, Varier has scripted and directed a 50-minute documentary on Gopi and used the same title of his exhibition of photographs. Like his photographs on the maestro and Kathakali, the film follows the actor from his childhood, to Kalamandalam, right through the green room to the stage. “For me Gopi Asan is not just a great actor, he is also a great human being. This film has been my dream. It is a true reflection of his life. For me he is one who was born for Kathakali and though he started off as a Thullal artiste, destiny led him to Kathakali,” says Varier.

As Mohanlal says in the film, Gopi has become synonymous with Kathakali after years of performances, becoming one with the art form.

Shot at real locations such as Gopi’s birthplace and ancestral home at Kothachira village, Nareri Mana, where he started learning Kathakali, Kerala Kalamandalam that honed his art, Bharatapuzha and his present home – the film cuts between real time and memories. Cinematographer Satish Kurup has cranked the camera and music is by Jaison J. Nair.

“I have photographs of the maestro in 12 roles in 30 plays including some rare ones that he must have played not more than once. In this film he dons five different roles – Nalan in ‘Nalacharitham – Second Day’, Ravanan in ‘Balivadham’, Hanuman in ‘Kalyanasougandikam’, Bali in ‘Balivadham’ and Lalitha in ‘Kirmeeravadham’. One photograph that I did not have in my collection was that of Asan in the make-up of a female character. He did put on the make-up for a photo shoot but in the film he performs in that role.”

Vesham: Kalamandalam Gopiwill be premièred at Sree Theatre, Thrissur, on May 24 at 8.30 a.m.