KATHAKALI- NALACHARITHAM RANDAM DIVASAM

KATHAKALI-

NALACHARITHAM RANDAM DIVASAM

(Kalamandalam Gopi as Nala and Sadanam Krishnankutty as Pushkara in 'Nalacharitam Randam Divasam.')

Veteran Kathakali artistes came together for a staging of ‘Nalacharitham Randaam Divasam' at Palakkad.  Several of Kathakali's icons gathered for a staging of ‘Nalacharitham Randaam Divasam' at Mannarkad, near Palakkad. Stalwarts of the art form such as Kalamandalam Gopi, Vasu Pisharodi, Sadanam Krishnankutty, Margi Vijayakumar, and Ramachandran Unnithan performed their signature roles. ‘Nalacharitham Randaam Divasam' is arguably the most popular story in Kathakali and describes the romance between King Nala and his wife, Damayanthi, and their pangs of separation. The opening scene of this play is a real treat thanks to its excellent choreography. Kalamandalam Gopi marvellously performed the romantic padam ‘Kuvalaya vilochane bale...' in raga Todi. His striking movements and expressive acting were the highlights of the scene. Margi Vijayakumar's Damayanthi was equally impressive. He presented the padam ‘Samyam akannoru udyanam...' with ease. Gopi's asan textbook presentation of the padam ‘Dayithe nee kel...' was superb and an eratti he performed at the end of the padam was spectacular for its nritha. After the padam the duo performed a manodharma attam.

Ramachandran Unnithan and Kottakkal Devadas, popular Chuvannathadi artistes, presented a stormy scene wherein Kali and Dwapara meet to plot against King Nala. Both Unnithan and Devdas came good in their roles. Septuagenarian Sadanam Krishnankutty's portrayal of the role of Pushkara, Nala's younger brother, was masterly. The scene in which Pushkara defeats Nala in a game of dice was another memorable scene of the play. As the play progressed, the intensity of emotions grew, especially in the scene where Nala decides to separate from Damayanthi. Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharodi's mastery over the role of Kattala brought the play to a brilliant climax. His enactment of the padam ‘Aaravam enthithariyunnatho iha...' was a visual treat. The music for the play was also noteworthy. Pathiyur Sankarankutty and Kalamandalam Babu Nambudiri sung some wonderful pieces. Nedumpally Rammohan and Sadanam Jyothish Babu ably assisted. After the staging of ‘Nalacharitham Randaam Divasam,' ‘Duryodhanavadham' was staged by the children of veteran Kathakali performers. Kannan, Reghuraj, Ranjini Suresh, Muralikrishnan, and Appukkuttan were the lead performers. Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan, Kalamandalam Nandakumar, and Kalamandalam Ravishankar played the chenda, while Kalamandalam Narayanan Nair, and Vellinezhi Ramankutti played the maddalam. The programme was organised as part of the annual festival of Pannikkottiri Vishnu temple, Mannarkad. 

                                                                    Prof. John Kurakar