'Manthrankam'
Kerala - Kochi
Documenting Koodiyattom
The ancient theatre form of 'Koodiyattam' has many treasures in its repertoire. Many of these portions have more or less an academic nature, rather than creating a direct aesthetic experience for the viewers. 'Manthrankam' is one such part that is rich in complicated layers of meaning and textual portions.
Basically the Third Act of the classical Sanskrit play 'Prathinja Yougandharayanam' by the Sanskrit dramatist Bhasa, 'Manthrankam,' has been taken out of the main text and elaborated into a 41-day-long performance that stresses more on the oral style of acting ('Vaachikabhinaya'). The text, with multi-layered meanings, is more or less a discourse on 'Rajathanthra' and 'Rajaneethi,' nuances of administrative and political stratagems. Even though Koodiyattam enjoys a wide range of popularity, especially among an international audience of theatre scholars and enthusiasts, portions like 'Manthrankam' still remain a little bit out of range for the average viewers.
Nepatya Centre for Koodiyattam, based in Moozhikkulam, has undertaken the task of presenting the complete portion of 'Manthrankam,' as monthly performances with the aim of visual documentation. It will be presented by the noted Koodiyattam artiste Margi Madhu, who had earlier presented 'Manthrankam,' at Thripunithura a couple of years ago.
'Manthrankam' can basically be considered an exercise to teach 'Vaachikabhinaya' to students of Koodiyattam, just like 'Anguleeyankam,' is considered an exercise for acting, says Mr. Madhu.
The performance at the Nepatya Kalari at Moozhikkulam started in August. The second part of `Manthrankam,' will be performed on Sunday evening.
Nepatya is planning to document the entire performance on DVD. It has also released a DVD of the performance of the sloka beginning, 'Himakaram... .,' from 'Asokavanikankam,' with English subtitles.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Wednesday, September 13, 2006)
Documenting Koodiyattom
The ancient theatre form of 'Koodiyattam' has many treasures in its repertoire. Many of these portions have more or less an academic nature, rather than creating a direct aesthetic experience for the viewers. 'Manthrankam' is one such part that is rich in complicated layers of meaning and textual portions.
Basically the Third Act of the classical Sanskrit play 'Prathinja Yougandharayanam' by the Sanskrit dramatist Bhasa, 'Manthrankam,' has been taken out of the main text and elaborated into a 41-day-long performance that stresses more on the oral style of acting ('Vaachikabhinaya'). The text, with multi-layered meanings, is more or less a discourse on 'Rajathanthra' and 'Rajaneethi,' nuances of administrative and political stratagems. Even though Koodiyattam enjoys a wide range of popularity, especially among an international audience of theatre scholars and enthusiasts, portions like 'Manthrankam' still remain a little bit out of range for the average viewers.
Nepatya Centre for Koodiyattam, based in Moozhikkulam, has undertaken the task of presenting the complete portion of 'Manthrankam,' as monthly performances with the aim of visual documentation. It will be presented by the noted Koodiyattam artiste Margi Madhu, who had earlier presented 'Manthrankam,' at Thripunithura a couple of years ago.
'Manthrankam' can basically be considered an exercise to teach 'Vaachikabhinaya' to students of Koodiyattam, just like 'Anguleeyankam,' is considered an exercise for acting, says Mr. Madhu.
The performance at the Nepatya Kalari at Moozhikkulam started in August. The second part of `Manthrankam,' will be performed on Sunday evening.
Nepatya is planning to document the entire performance on DVD. It has also released a DVD of the performance of the sloka beginning, 'Himakaram... .,' from 'Asokavanikankam,' with English subtitles.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu, Wednesday, September 13, 2006)
Labels: theatre
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