The second half of the Kathakali play (attakatha) ‘Lavanaasuravadham' by Palakkad Amrita Sasthrikal (1815 -1877) has been popular with connoisseurs and organisers alike. It provides ample opportunities for young trainees as well as veteran actors. Hanuman, the most dominant character, has been immortalised by doyens in the field such as Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair.
Sita, living in banishment, and her twin sons, Kusa and Lava, were staying in sage Valmiki's hermitage when Rama's sacrificial horse, let to roam about, wandered into the nearby forest. The children encounter the extraordinarily decorated horse with a challenge stuck to its brow. Ignoring the warnings of their timid play-mates, Kusa and Lava capture it as an exhibition piece.
Even Shatrughna, Rama's mighty younger brother who was the guardian of the sacred horse, fails to rescue it from the valiant and stubborn children. Rama, reluctant to fight with his own children, deputes Hanuman to handle the situation.
Hanuman, the diligent and intelligent emissary, recognises at the very first sight the resemblance of the children's feet with those of his own master and identifies them as the Lord's sons. All his diplomatic attempts to win them over to let the animal free fail. Finally he pretends to be defeated and allows the children to tie him up to be shown to their mother as their booty, in addition to the horse.
Sita, recognising Hanuman, her life-saver, immediately orders for his release with due respect. Hanuman shows her the sacrificial horse which is also freed at once. Hanuman's report that Rama is conducting the Aswamedha yagam (horse sacrifice) with a golden statue of Sita placed on his left, consoles her as that is a clear indication of her Lord's undivided love for her.
Dexterous acting
Narippatta Narayanan Namboodiri's dexterous acting excelled in technical perfection as well as ingenious improvisations. He was centre stage, right from the Thiranottam when he lowered the curtain, step by step revealing himself to the connoisseurs. And he could maintain that tempo till the lead he took in performing the dhanaasi (‘benedictory conclusion'), which amply deserved a standing ovation. Hanuman, the personification of indefatigable strength, was brimming with subtle sense of humour in the company of his master's sons and with unparalleled devotion in the presence of Sita, his virtual mother.
The programme was organised by Drisyavedi in Thiruvananthapuram.
