Author: IKKF

The highlights of the over-30-hour-fare of events to be held during April 16-18, 2015 at Indian Consulate Auditorium, Dubai are: 1. Koodiyaattam -Balivadham 2. Mohiniyaattam 3. Lecture Demonstrations 4. Pre-event Workshops Among the artistes who will perform in the April edition of Utsavam are Ammannur Kuttan Chaakyar, Kalamandalam Rama Chaakyar, Dr. Neena Prasad and Sooraj Nambiar.

The highlights of the over-30-hour-fare of events to be held during December 4-6, 2014 at HRH Princess Haya Bint Hussein Theatre, GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai are: 1. Kathakali – “Ravanayanam” [We focus on plays with Ravana as the central character] 2. Ottanthullal 3. Sheethankanthullal 4. Thaayampaka 5. Lecture & Demonstration Among the artistes who will perform in Utsavam ’14 are eminent ones such as Madavoor Vasudevan Nair [Padma Bhushan awardee], Kottakkal Kesavan Kundalayar, Kalamandalam Geethanandan, Kallur Ramankutty Marar, Porur Unnikrishnan, and Kalamandalam Krishnadas.

The wedding of Seetha Seethaswayamvaram is the second aattakatha in Kottarakkara Thampuran’s Ramayana octalogy. The story play traces the incidents in Ramayana from Shree Raman’s and his brothers’ childhood. Sage Vishwamitra takes Shree Raman and Lakshmanan with him to the forests to protect his yaga from demons. Raman with his brother Lakshmanan vanquishes these demons. A pleased Vishwamitra then takes the brothers to the palace of Janaka, king of Mithila. There Raman attempts to string Shiva’s bow Thrayambakam, a challenge that King Janaka has set for anyone that wants to wed his daughter Seetha. Raman proves too strong for the…

The wedding of Rugmini Ashwathi Thirunal Ramavarma penned this tale from Bhagavatha Purana as an aattakatha in late 18th century. Rugmini, the beautiful daughter of King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Sage Narada who visits Bhishmaka foretells him of Rugmini’s marriage to Krishna. Rugmi, Bhishmaka’s son, is an arch-enemy of Krishna and is enraged by this prediction. In haste, he decides to get Rugmini married to his bosom friend King Shishupalan of Chedi. An anxious Rugmini seeks the help of a Brahmin to apprise Krishna of the situation and seek her marriage to him. Taking heed…

The Rise of Ravana Penned by Kallekkulangara Raghavapisharody in 18th century, the original script traces the story from Ravana’s grandfather Sumali and his brothers Mali and Malyavan. Their victory over devas (demi-gods), defeat at the hands of Vishnu, and eventual decline of their race forms the first part of the narrative. The second part depicts the ascension of Ravana and how he restores the lost glory of the Rakshasas (demons). A young Ravana is deeply affected by the grief of his mother Kaikasi who laments the impoverished state of Ravana and his brothers compared to their half-brother Vaishravana. Determined to…

Victory of Ravana  Penned by Kareendran Kilimanoor Rajarajavarma in the first half of 19th century, this play depicts Ravana attaining superlative glory following his successful penance. At another level, it also depicts the darker shades of Ravana and the hubris that eventually causes his downfall. While ruling as the powerful lord of Lanka, Ravana is enraged by the chastening message sent by his half-brother Vaishravana. Ravana then sets out in war to defeat the latter. On his way, Ravana rests with his army in the vicinity of Mount Kailasa. There his amorous instincts are aroused by the sight of the…

Victory of Bali Authored by Kalloor Neelakantan Namboodiripad in early 19th century, Balivijayam depicts how the arrogant Ravana is humbled by the mighty monkey king Bali. Ravana attains supreme power and becomes the overlord of all worlds including heaven after defeating Indra, the king of demi-gods. Indra seeks the help of Sage Narada to get even with Ravana for the shame he suffered at his hands. Narada then tricks Ravana into taking issue with the mighty monkey king Bali. How Ravana suffers humiliation at the hands (tail, really) of Bali forms the main plot of this play. While comical embarrassment…

The slaying of Bali The glorious art form of Kathakali was originated as Ramanattam by Kottarakkara Thampuran in late seventeenth century when he wrote and got enacted the story of Ramayana as eight plays [aattakathas]. Balivadham is the fifth in this octalogy. The story that brings out the darker shades of Ravana is usually enacted on stage in two parts. In the first part, Ravana learns of the mutilation of his sister Shoorppanakha at the hands of Lakshmanan. He also learns of Lakshmanan’s elder brother Shree Raman and his beautiful wife Seetha. Enamoured by the descriptions of her beauty, Ravana…

 Mohiniyaattam is an Indian classical dance performed as solo recitals by women. It originated in 16th century and was popularized by Swathi Tirunal and his courtiers in 19th century. Contemporary definition of Mohiniyaattam was evolved by Kalyanikutty Amma and Vallathol Narayana Menon in Kalamandalam in the second half of twentieth century. The dance is characterized by slow, rhythmic movements accompanied by vocal and instrumental music. The two days of Mohiniyaattam performance by Dr. Neena Prasad will include two styles of repertoire both conceptualized and choreographed by the dancer. The first one will be in Kutcheri style, a traditional repertoire in…