‘Keechakavadham,' penned by Irayimman Thampi, is a popular play on Kathakali stages.
Although Thampy wrote two more attakkathas – ‘Utharaswayamvaram' and ‘Dakshayagam' – ‘Keechakavadham' is by far the most popular of his plays.
Raising the bar
It was Vazhenkada Kunju Nair and Kalamandalam Ramankutti Nair who made some outstanding contributions in developing the story of ‘Keechavadham.' While Kunju Nair concentrated on the humane nature of Keechaka, Ramankutti Nair focussed on the technical perfection of the character. Both master performers had won the wholehearted appreciation of discerning rasikas and their performances had raised the bar for a new generation of artistes.
The play was recently staged at Sankarankulangara temple, near Thrissur. The programme included a purappad with four Krishna veshams, a rare treat for the audience.
The three-and-a-half-hour-long ‘Keechakavadham' began with a scene that had Panchali, disguised as Malini, meeting Sudeshna, queen of Virata kingdom, enacting the padam ‘Sasimukhee varika..suseele…' Kalamandalam Soman once again proved his mettle by effortlessly essaying the role of Keechaka.
Each and every mudra of his were in sync with the tala.
Haripriya Nambudiri charmingly portrayed the lead female role of Malini. Her presentation of the padam ‘Kekaya bhupahy kanye...' in the first scene was attractive.
Kalamandalam Chinosh Balan and Kalamandalam Sooraj performed the roles of Valala and Sudeshna.
Vocalists Nedumpally Rammohan and Sadanam Jyothish Babu came good in their recital.
Kurur Vasudevan Nambudiri and Kalamandalam Sreehari were on the chenda, and Kalamandalam Venu and Kalamandalam Aneesh played the maddalam.
The programme was organised by Natyapriya, a Thrissur-based cultural organisation.
