The character of Ravana in ‘Ravanolbhavam', authored by Kallekulangara Raghava Pisharody (1725-1795), is considered as one of the toughest roles in Kathakali repertoire. Only actors with outstanding skill and experience dare to handle this challenging role, immortalised by masters like Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair.
Kalamandalam Balasubramanian's recent portrayal of this Ravana proved his mastery of the role. He effectively used every sequence of the play to highlight his acting skill and deep awareness of the character.
Only the second part of the original play was enacted. It took off with the majestic entry of an arrogant Ravana who is in a nostalgic mood. Through the technique of pakkarnattam, the artiste depicted a scene from Ravana's childhood that showed how Ravana became an invincible king. Once, while he was sleeping on the lap of his mother,Kaikasy, her attention was caught by something in the sky. When she finds that it is Vaisravana, Ravana's step-brother, she becomes jealous and then sad.
When Ravana wakes up, he finds Kaikasy weeping and he asks her the reason for her sorrow. Kaikasy tells him that she was lamenting over the ill fate of her son. Ravana assures her that he he is not inferior to Vaisrnava or anyone else. To please Kaikasy, Ravana goes on a ‘tapas' to propitiate Brahma (this part is known as ‘Thapassattam') and acquire the necessary boons to become a powerful king.
Balasubramanian skillfully portrayed Kuttisankaran and the mother. He enacted the intricate feelings of the characters in the relatively slow sequence of the pakarnattam and mesmerised the spectators with his skilful acting.
The rapport between Balasubramanian and his percussionists was outstanding. Kalamandalam Krishnadas and Kalamandalam Gopikrishnan (chenda) and Kalamandalam Sasi and Kalamandalam Sreekumar (maddhalam) immensely supported the actor.
RLV Sunil (Kumbakarnan) and FACT Biju Bhaskar (Vibhishanan) were the other actors. Vocals by Kalamandalam Rajendran and Kalamandalam Rajeevan were impressive. The play was organised under the aegis of the Ernakulam Kathakali Club.
