Author: IKKF

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Utsavam 8 – Part II – Invitation

 This final work of Kottayam Thampuran is also recognized as his most accomplished. Chronologically the story runs concurrently with Kalyanasowgandhikam, and Thampuran cleverly establishes this using Sage Lomesha in both the plays. The story begins with Indra, King of the Devas, assigning his charioteer Mathali to travel to earth and fetch his son, the mighty warrior Arjunan. Mathali plays an important role in this part of the play and his meeting with Arjunan brings out the heroic character of Arjunan succinctly in the famous padam “Salajjoham”. Arjunan travels to devalokam(abode of the Gods) with Mathali and pays homage to Indra.…

 The play begins with a beautiful contrast of emotions (rasa) between the enraged Bhima and pacifist Yudhishtira. After Yudhisthira placates Bhima, the narrative progresses with the visit of Sage Lomesha, who carries news of Arjunan’s victories in aid of Indra. Pandavas are further elevated by a visit from Lord Krishna. Visits by Sage Lomesha is skipped on stage and usually the enraged Bhima (a picture of showryagunam) is followed by a romantic one in a beautiful romantic interlude (pathinjapadam) with his consort Paanchaali. At the end of this scene, a gentle breeze carries a beautiful, fragrant Sowgandhikam flower to Paanchaali.…

 In Kirmeeravadham, the plot characters, and theatrical possibilities are much more evolved than in Bakavadham. The play is usually divided into two distinct parts called Paathrabhaagam and Lalitha. The first part begins with the hero Dharmaputra (Yudhishtira) lamenting the fate of his consort Paanchaali in her sufferance of the harshness of the life in the forest. The pathinjapadam is marked by its poignancy and solemnity rather than romance, something that befits the stature and nature of King Yudhishtira. Paanchaali responds that she is more concerned by her inability to feed the thousands of Brahmins who have accompanied the Pandavas to…

(Slaying of Demon Baka) Rivalry between Kauravas and Pandavas, paternal cousins, for the throne of Hastinapuram forms the central story of the epic Mahabharatham. In a bid to eliminate Pandavas, Kaurava prince Duryodhanan constructs a palace of wax and other inflammables in Vaaranavatham. Bakavadham, begins with Pandava prince Yudhishtiran being instructed by his uncle and Duryodhanan’s father, Dhritharashtra, to move to Vaaranavatham and stay at the new palace there. However, in its enactment, the play usually commences with Pandavas being visited by Khanaka, a mason sent by the wise Vidura to prepare a secret tunnel that will allow Pandavas to…

 Shailooshakam includes a Lecture-Demonstration session on Friday 6th May 2016. Though all aspects of Koodiyaattam, Koothu and Nangiarkoothu would be covered in this lecture demonstration, main focus will be the different interpretation techniques of these art forms. The word-by-word enactment of the drama, the interpretation cum narration of Koothu, and the enactment of the spirit of literature of “Recapitulations” (Nirvahanams) in general and that of Nangiyarkoothu in particular would be highlighted in the lecture-demo. The lecture-demonstration intends to provide a comprehensive introduction to the art enthusiasts enabling them to enrich their understanding and appreciation of Koodiyaattam and Nangiarkoothu. Schedule: Friday, 6th…