OPENING PERFORMANCE OF OLD WORLD THEATRE FESTIVAL 2018
(A Tribute to the Spirit of Kerala)

BALI VADHAM
from Abhiseka Natka (Act I) of Bhasa

A Kutiyattam performance by NATANAKAIRALI, Kerala
(Sanskrit/120mins)

  • October 20, Sat | 6:30 pm
    The Stein Auditorium, Habitat World, India Habitat Centre
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Entry by passes.
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Directors: Guru Ammanur Madhava Chakyar and G. Venu

KUTIYATTAM – ONE OF THE OLDEST THEATRE FORMS

Kutiyattam of Kerala is the sole surviving art-form that represents the staging of ancient Indian Sanskrit dramas. It is believed that Kutiyattam can claim an antiquity of more than two thousand years. For a proper understanding of India’s ancient style of enacting or presenting a drama, a careful study of Kutiyattam is as essential as the study of  Bharata’s Natyasastra. In some of the important temples of Kerala theatre hall is specially built for the performance of Kutiyattam. This theatre hall is called Koothambalam. Kutiyattam has been recognised by UNESCO as one of the intangible heritage of humanity in 2001. The chief percussion instrument is Mizhavu. It is a large spherical pot (Kudam) with its open end closed with tightly stretched leather. In the early years, the Mizhavu was made of clay. But today the Mizhavu is made of thin plate of copper.

Universal Viewing

THE TROUPE – NATANAKAIRALI

Natanakairali - Research and Performing Centre for Traditional Arts - was conceived in 1976 by G. Venu to combine research, training and performance in the field of traditional arts. The aims were to have a venue where there would be most productive work in unadorned and simple conditions. An ABHINAYA KALARI (Acting Laboratory) was started in Natanakairali with the intent of exploring the wide range of potential that the traditional acting techniques has and to develop and implement in the training system. The major exploration in this field is Navarasa sadhana which is the systematic and daily practice of the Nine Rasa-s by the actors, with the aim of strengthening their capacities for producing this aesthetical experience in the viewers. Since 1979 Natanakairali concentrated on training and performance of Kutiyattam of Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar and has organised several performances in the countries in Asia as well as Europe.

THE DIRECTORS
Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar and G. Venu

Born in 1917 in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, Ammannur Madhava Chakyar comes of a family of Chakyars having a tradition of more than four centuries. He received training in Kutiyattam from his uncles Ammannur Chachu Chakyar and Madhava Chakyar. He has been honoured by religious institution like the Shiva Temple at Thrissur, the temple at Ernakulam and the Koodalmanikkam Temple at Irinjalakuda. He is a recipient of several national awards such as the Kalidasa Samman in 1992, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979 and the Padma Bhushan in 2003. Guru Madhava Chakyar died on 1st July 2008.

G. Venu was a disciple, companion, collaborator and producer of the legendary Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar for a period of three decades. Venu has been following the acharya like his shadow, taking care of his needs in the capacity of both a student and as his assistant. In turn, Madhava Chakyar groomed him as his protage. Venu has received several honours and awards including the prestigious NIKKEI Asia Prize for culture from Japan in 2007. Presently he is the visiting master teacher of the National School of Drama, New Delhi and at the Intercultural Theatre Institute, Singapore.

CAST
Sugriva : Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar
Sri Rama : Sooraj Nambiar
Bali : Pothiyil Ranjith Chakyar

ACCOMPANISTS
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Rajeev, Kalamandalam Hariharan, Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambiar Idakka : Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan
Talam : Saritha Krishnakumar
Make-up : Kalanilayam Haridas