A lotus blooming with love at the sun’s touch and wilting with the setting sun, a rising moon enveloping the flowers in a vengeful mist... In an amazing 30-minute segment, Margi Madhu depicted this love story in unhurried detail. In yet another lavish 40-minute solo, Nepathya Sreehari Chakyar presented an exquisitely detailed rendition of Subhadra being dressed up by her maids.
Such “detours” from the plot are what makes Koodiyattam scintillating. This is a theatre in which every facial muscle is engaged, in which the eyes, brows and cheeks combine with hand gestures to tell a story that goes beyond language. All these and more were on show at the annual Gurusmarana Koodiyattam festival organised by Nepathya in Moozhikkulam recently. The ninth edition of the festival, in memory of Nepathya’s founder Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar, was unique with three of his grandchildren coming together on stage in Subhadradhananjayam (Day II) while his two sons were featured in Thapatisamvaranam (Day II), both written by Kulasekhara.
Young brigade
Subhadradhananjayam proved that the young generation has come of age. Sreehari as Arjuna, Anjana S. Chakyar as Subhadra and Nepathya Rahul Chakyar as Vidooshaka enthralled the audience in a four-hour performance. Sreehari, who has already revealed his mettle, stood out while Anjana showed glimpses of her potential.
Anjana S.Chakyar as Subhadra and Sreehari Chakyar as Arjuna in ‘Subhadradhananjayam’ | Photo Credit: Achuthan T.K.
The episode revolved around Arjuna saving a beautiful woman from a demon without realising that she is none other than Subhadra, the sister of Krishna he is in love with. Subhadra too wonders who her handsome saviour was without realising it was her lover Arjuna.
Sreehari Chakyar as Arjuna in ‘Subhadradhananjayam’ | Photo Credit: Achuthan T.K.
Sreehari acted out the sloka ‘Chalakuvalaya’ with elan, describing Subhadra’s beauty in detail with his expressive eyes and face. What followed was an elaborate description of Subhadra being decked up by her maids. The maids discussing if the hair was braided properly and about selecting the various ornaments, even dropping a stud on the floor, was done with finesse.
Magic of the narrative
Thapatisamvaranam featured Margi Madhu as Samvaranan and Margi Sajeev Narayana Chakyar as the Vidooshaka. The magic lies not in the story — King Samvaranan narrating his dream to his friend Parasaryan — but in the way it is told. Madhu, in a masterful performance, alternated from Samvaranan, to bashful lotus flowers, the playful sun and the angry moon. How the breeze and the bees combined to make it look as if the flowers are coyly eyeing the sun was skilfully presented.
Margi Madhu as Samvaranan and Margi Sajeev as Vidooshaka in ‘Thapatisamvaranam’ | Photo Credit: Achuthan T.K.
The Vidooshakas in both plays — Rahul as Kaundinya and Margi Sajeev as Parasaryan — impressed with their wit and articulation. Though the Malayalam-speaking Vidooshaka made Koodiyattam more accessible to the viewers, there were times when the character appeared a bit tedious and repetitive. The festival concluded with the staging of Jatayuvadham featuring Nepathya Yadukrishnan as Ravana, Indu G. as Sita, Rahul as Sootha and Nepathya Vishnuprasad as Jatayu.
The story of Jatayu valiantly but unsuccessfully trying to rescue Sita from Ravana is the theme of this episode from Sakthibhadra’s play Ascharyachoodamani.
The programme also included a Patakam by Kalamandalam Manikandan. A percussionist, he narrated the story of the Pandavas leaving for the palace of the King of Panchala in Panchaliswayamvaram.
Kalamandalam Manikantan, Nepathya Jinesh and Nepathya Ashwin on the mizhavu along with Kalanilayam Rajan on edakka provided excellent percussion support.