A Mesmerising Kathakali Performance In Munnar, Kerala

By Ravichandran D.J Paul MUNNAR (Kerala, India), June 3 (Bernama) -- On the winding road just two kilometers away from the Munnar hill station in Kerala, India, a hamlet appeared and the passersby were greeted by the sight of a decrepit theater on the roadside. However, inside the theater it was a different story altogether. It was 3.30 p.m. and while the audience slowly trickled into the theater, R.Anuraj sitting cross legged on the stage started painting his face in vibrant colours. Holding a mirror on his left hand and the brush on his right, with an incandescent bulb nearby providing the light on the dim stage, he worked meticulously on the facial details much to the curiosity of the incoming audience. As the clock ticked the impatient audience witnessed Anuraj slowly transforming himself into one of the main characters in the Kathakali theater, Sree Krishna. Kathakali, an elaborate costume dance drama, is one of the oldest theater forms with its origins in Kerala and the ancient Vedic texts. In keeping the performing art alive the Punarjani Traditional Village in Munnar, a venture of young artistes set up to preserve the art and culture of Kerala, rolls out daily shows of Kathakali. PRESENTED IN ITS TRUE TRADITIONAL SPIRIT Anuraj, in his early 20s, is among the dedicated youths in Kerala's backwaters who have been acting out the Kathakali characters. On the particular day, he took on the role of Sree Krishna with the predominant green (pachcha) face, the white beard (chutti) and the tall headdress unique to one of the leading deities in the Hindu pantheon of gods. The other character was Narakasura, the evil looking demon king with his long black hair and black coloured face played by K.Arjun. The third actor was K.Sethu Lakshmi who took on the character of Nakhra Thundi, the beautiful woman that Narakasura transformed into to win over Sree Krishna. As for those who watched the show that evening, mostly tourists and non-resident Indians, it was a truly exhilarating experience. The show was presented in its true traditional essence, starting with the proclaimation by a group of percussionists, made up of two maddalam (drum) and a cymbal player, that a Kathakali show is going to take place. Then a narration on Kathakali starts and the characters were introduced before the sacred brass oil lamp placed on a stool standing against a curtain is lighted, an age old tradition to indicate the start of the show. THE STORY PRESENTED THROUGH EXPRESSION As the dance drama is delivered through facial expression and the eye, hand and bodily gestures, Lakshmi provided a preview to the audience on the nine facial expressions and their meanings that among others denoted valour, anger, fear, wonder and wrath. There are also 24 hand gestures (mudras) to complement the facial expressions. The show started with Narakasura taking a peek at the audience from behind the curtains. He then comes out, turning his back towards the audience and combing his long hair. Narakasura was hatching a plot to transform himself into a beautiful woman to entice Sree Krishna and wreck havoc in his kingdom. Narakasura then looks into a mirror brought by a servant and unleashes a bone chilling scream. It was a brilliant performance by Arjun. Even at the end of the show when the audience went to snap photos with the characters, Arjun was asked to repeat the terrifying screams much to the delight of some and the distress of others. NO WAY TO CONVINCE SREE KRISHNA Lakshimi who plays Nakhra Thundi, then makes advances to Sree Krishna with her dances and seductive ways. It was very much a muted play, except for Arjun's ear piercing screams that spooked the audience and the accompanying background drumbeats and clashes of the cymbal that created an energetic atmosphere in the theater. The ecstatic rhytms of the Ghoongroos (leg bells) worn by the actors on their ankles added to the dramatic feel within the theater. However, Sree Krishna is not easily swayed and he finds the true background of the beautiful woman. A confrontation happens and Nakhra Thundi then shows her true self. A dramatic fight ensues and Sree Krishna kills Narakasura with his spear. The outcome symbolically represents the triumph of good over evil. The show captivated the audience, who were amazed with the brilliant portrayal of the characters and the effective presentation through facial expression and bodily gestures. And it all happened in a rundown theater located in a remote hamlet. AT THE BACKSTAGE OF KATHAKALI Anuraj has been active in staging Kathakali over the last six years while Arjun has been involved in Kathakali for more than a decade. Anuraj pointed out applying the makeup is an intricate affair, that can take up to three hours. And the make-up has to be applied directly onto the face so that it does not obstruct the facial expression. Almost every day the Kathakali characters have to put on the make-up and dress up for the show. This prompted the writer to inquire whether the make-up had any effect on the skin or health of the Kathakali actors. The actors noted that in so far they had no health or skin problems due to the heavy make-up. Anuraj said they only used natural ingredients that are safe to the skin to achieve the vibrant colours. The ingredients include stone powders and herbs. For example, Shree Krishna's green face colour is a combination of powdered Manayola (yellow) and Neelam (blue) stones mixed with coconut oil. Both stones are said to come from the Himalayas. The ‘Chutti’ or white beard of Shree Krishna in the olden days were made of layer after layer of rice paste. For this show, it was made of paper material. The black facial colour of Narakasura comes from soot created by burning the gingerly oil. Nakra Thundi's yellow facial colour comes from turmeric. The colourful characters of Kathakali not only provided visitors with a wonderful entertainment that evening but also a glimpse of Kerala's rich cultural heritage. And the Punarjani Traditional Village in Munnar will keep this ancient art form alive through its amazing Kathakali shows. -- BERNAMA