29.11.05 Tuesday 4.30 to 5.45 pm

Act I Parnasalankam Sthapana (prelude)
Performed by: MARGI, Thiruvananthapuram

Sutradhar : Margi Narayana Chakiar
Nati : Margi Usha
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan Nambiar
Margi Ramanunni
Edakka : Margi Venugopal
Thimila : Margi Mohanan
Thalam : Margi Revathy
Chutty : Margi Ravindran

The Sutradhar is looking very tense. Nati enquires the reason and Sutradhar says that he has the most unenviable task of presenting a play by an author from the South. The Nati says that nothing good has ever come from the Southern region. The Sutradhar has the last word when he says that things should be judged by their intrinsic merit and not by the region where they come from.

Bearing, as counterparts of the waves, a thousand arms vying with shafts of emerald, throwing up foam with his many necklaces, glowing red with the lustre of the rubies on the hoods of Ananta [his serpent-couch], even as the ocean with the gems on the hoods of numberless serpents, holding the conch, bearing within himself the moving and static world and the everlasting effulgence [the unquenchable submarine fire], lying thus like [another] ocean in a part of the ocean, may the lord armed with Sarnga bow protect you.

INAUGURAL SESSION

5.45 pm to 6.45 pm

Invocation : Sopanam Artistes

Welcome : Sri. S. Sreenivasn LAS. (Secretary, Margi)

Presidential Address : Sri. Kavalam Narayana Panikkar
(Vice-Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi)

Inauguration : Sri. AP. Anil Kumar
(Hon. Minister for Culture, Govt. of Kerala)

Introductory Address : Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker

Chief guest : Sri. K. Jayakumar. LAS.
(Joint Secretary, Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India)
Felicitations : Dr. V.R. Prabodha Chandran Nair
(Chairman, Kerala Kalamandalam)
Sri. G. Rajmohan (President, Margi)

6.45 to 9.30 pm

Act-II Surpanakhankam

Performed by: KERALA KALAMANDALAM, Cheruthuruthy

Characters : Rama, Sita, Lekshmana Lalitha, Surpanakha

Rama & Sita are in Panchavadi. Rama tells Sita that life in the forest appeared more frightful when contemplated from a distance. But, now that they are in the forest, life here is not at all as difficult as imagined. Lalitha (Surpanakha in disguise as a beautiful lady) appears and entreats Rama to accept her. Rama directs her to Lekshmana. Lalitha says that, if she is spurned again, she will avenge her insult. On being rejected by Lekshmana once again, she reveals her true demoniac form and carries Lekshmana skywards. Finally Lekshmana cuts off her nose & ears and drives her away.

SEMINAR I

30.11.2005 - Wednesday 10.00 am

PAPER I

Presided over by Dr. K.G. Poulose

Paper: Guru P.K. Narayanan Nambiar

The structure of Kutiyattam enactment with
emphasis on the individual acts of the
play-vis a vis Ascharyachoodamani.

PAPER II

Presided over by Sri. K. Prabhakaran Nair

Paper: Sri. Margi Madhu
Scope of embellished acting in
Ascharyachoodamani.

4.00 to 5.00 pm

Act I - Parnasalankam
Lalitha Nirvahanam (Recapitulation) - Solo

Performed by: KERALA KALAMANDALAM, Cheruthuruthy

Surpanakha makes her appearance; disguised as a beautiful lady. She contemplates the physical charms of Rama and enacts his 'Kesadipada' (head to foot) description. She then recapitulates thus "I lost my husband Vidyutjihwa, who was killed in a battle. 1 became desolate and decided to find a new husband. I started to search in all the three worlds to find a suitable partner. First I searched in the world of the Devas. I considered Indra. But he is not faithful. Then Agni the God of fire. He is too hot. Then Vayu the God of Wind. He is always on the move" etc. She found some fault or other in all the Devas and came to the Godavari river side where she wanted to try her luck with Rama. She ends the Nirvahana contemplating the prospect of getting Rama as her husband.

5.00 to 6.30 pm

Act-III Maya Sitankam

Performed by: MARGI, Thiruvananthapuram.

Rama : Margi Raman
Lekshmana : Kalamandalam Ravindran
Maya Sita : Margi Usha
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Unrlikrishnan Nambiar
Margi Ramanunni
Edakka : Margi Sukumaran
Thimila : Margi Mohanan
Thalam : Margi Revathi
Chutty : RLV Somadas

Ravana in disguise as Maya Rama had taken away Sita in a chariot to Lanka. Rama and Maya Sita (Surpanakha) are at Panchavadi. Lekshmana sees the dead Maricha (killed by Rama's arrow) in the disguised form of Rama himself. He is overcome with grief. But when he actually sees Rama in flesh and blood before him, he is convinced that all these were due to the Maya (black magic) of the Rakshasas (demons). Maya Sita (Surpanakha) wants to escape before being found out; but when Rama touches her in the process of wiping the tears in her eyes, her true demoniac form is revealed. Angry at the deception played on them, Rama and Lekshmana send her away with admonition to deliver a message of war to her brother Ravana.

6.30 to 7.00 pm

Mizhavil Thayambaka

7.00 to 9.00 pm

Act-III Jatayu Vadhankam

Performed by: MANI MADHAVA CHAKIAR
SMARAKA GURUKULAM, Lakkidi

Character : Maya Rama (Ravana)
Sita
Suta (Charioteer disguised as Lekshmana)
Jatayu

Ravana (as Maya Rama) is carrying away Sita in the aerial chariot, after telling her that they are bound for Ayodhya to help brother Bharatha fight the enemies who have invaded the capital city. While in the chariot, Sita's ring chances to touch Ravana whereupon the black magic (Maya) effect is dispelled and Ravana appears in his true demoniac form with protruding canine teeth. Sita, in great distress, cries aloud for help. Jatayu, the divine bird and long time friend and ally of Dasaratha, appears on hearing Sita's cries and challenges Ravana for a fight. Ravana proposes that they disclose each other's weak spot before the fight. Jatayu truthfully disclosed his weak spot as his right wing. The unscrupulous Ravana however deceives by telling that his weak spot is his right toe. The brid goes for this spot facilitating Ravana to kill the divine bird by cutting off its right wing.

The programme ends with "Mudiakkitha". The main actor after removing his headgear prostrates on the floor of the stage in obeisance to the Gods. He also ceremonially extinguishes the flames of the stage oil lamp.

SEMINAR II

1.12.2005 Thursday 10.00 am

Presided over by: Sri. P. Rama Iyer

Paper: Dr. V.R. Prabodhachandran Nair
Dramaturgy and Poetics in Ascharyachoodamani.

Act-V Asokavanikankam (Purappadu)
'Purappadu' or entry part of the Act, Rituals like 'Nithyakriya'

Performed by: AMMANNUR CHACHUCHAKIAR
SMARAKA GURUKULAM, Irinjalakkuda

Ravana : Sooraj Nambiar

5.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Act V Asokavanikankam Kutiyattam - "Himakaram"
Performed by: NEPATHYA, Moozhikkulam

Ravana : Margi Madhu
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Rathish Bhas
Kalamandalam Anoop
Idakka : Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan
Thimila : Margi Mohanan
Thalam : Indu. G
Chutti : Margi Ravindran

This is a famous sequence bringing out the hopeless state of infatuation of Ravana for Sita. (A considerable portion of the Act is devoted to this State of mind of Ravana.) In a solo enactment, Ravana fantasises the beauty of Sita in every detail. He enacts the Kesadipada' (a head to foot description) of Sita with very expressive hand gestures and facial expressions. He is so love stricken that the moon's rays, so cool to all, make him feel terribly hot; not due to the power of the Moon, whom he had driven away once, but due, to the power of Sita's erotic spell on him.

6.00 to 9.00 pm

Act-V Asokavanikankam Kutiyattam (Second day)

Performed by: AMMANNUR CHACHU CHAKIAR
SMARAKA GURUKULAM, Irinjalakkuda

Ravana : Pothiyil Ranjit Chakyar
Chitrayodhi : Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Rajiv
Kalamandalam Hariharan
Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambiar
Idakka : Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan
Talam : Natana kairali Nirmala Panikkar
Kapila Nangiar
Aparna Nangiar
Bhageerathi
Makeup : Kalanilayam Haridas
Kalanilayam Sankaran

In this sequence Ravana's minister Chitrayodhi advises his master, in a series of arguments, to give up his path of lust and isdeeds and restore Sita to Rama and save the Rakshasa clan from total extinction. Hearing the words of Chitrayodhi that Rama is invincible, Ravana in anger recounts his own herioc deeds in the past. Ravana describes how he played ball with the Kailasa Mountain. In answer Chitrayodhi tells him that Sri Rama is no more mortal but an incarnation of Vishnu and goes on to describe all the divine incarnations.

SEMINAR III

2.12.2005 Friday 10.00 am

PAPER I

Presided over by:
Prof. Vayala Vasudevan Pillai

Paper: Sri. B.R. Bhargava
Kutiyattam and Natyasastra vis a vis
Contemporary theature.

PAPER II

Presided over by:
Prof. C.G. Rajagopal

Paper: Sri. Venu. G
Theatrical potential of Asokavanikankam

Demonstration by: Kapila Nangiar

4.00 to 5.00 pm

Act-V Asokavanikankam
Mandodari Nirvahanam (Solo)

Recapitulation of the past history of the Rakshasa dynasty is the subject of this Nirvahana.

Act-V Asokavanikankam Kutiyattam
(Udyana Pravesam)

Performed by: AMMANNUR CHACHUCHAKIAR SMARAKA GURUKULAM, Irinjalakkuda

Ravana : Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar
Mandodari : Kapila Nangiar
Chedi : Aparna Nangiar
Mzhavu : Kalamandalam Rajiv
Kalamandalam Hariharan
Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambiar
Idakka : Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan
Talam : Natana kairali Nirmala Panikkar
Kapila Nangiar
Aparna Nangiar
Bhageerathi
Makeup : Kalanilayam Haridas
Kalanilayam Sankaran

Ravana enters the Asoka garden to meet Sita who is seated below the Simsupa tree, immersed in grief. The entry is very spectacular with lighted torches etc. A special kesadipada (head to feet) description of Sita follows. The dominant mood is the consuming passion of Ravana for Sita. After approaching Sita, Ravana places before her a set of lavish presents and offers them with pathetic entreaties. But Sita does not even look at Ravana. Enraged by this rejection, the demon starts to draw his sword to kill Sita. He is prevented from doing so by his wife Mandodari who intervenes and pleads with her husband.

7.00 to 9.00 pm

Act-VI Anguleeyankam
Purappad (Entry)
Nirvahanam (Recapitulation) & Anguleeyankam Tamil

Performed by: PAINKULAM NARAYANA CHAKIAR Anguleeyankam Tamil by:
KALAMANDALAM UNNIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR

This is an Act, which is traditionally performed as a ritual in certain temples. It is a solo enactment (Nirvahana) by the character Hanuman, lasting up to 12 days in the ritual presentation in temples and up to 32 days in the normal performance format outside of temples, in which more than 300 Nirvahana slokas are enacted.

The opening sequence known as Anguleeyankam Purappad (entry) is presented here. Hanuman appears in a state of extreme anger at Ravana for abducting Sita & causing distress to his master Rama. He would like to wipe Lanka off the face of the earth, using his mighty physical power; but desists from doing so when he sets his eyes on the ring (Anguleeyam) worn by him in his finger.

The enactment of the traditional ritual section, at the commencement of an Act in Kutiyattam, follows. This consists of a series of ntricate dance movements, kesadipada (head to foot) description of Siva & Parvathy, obeisance to the guardians of the eight directions (Dikpala Vandana), and 'Nritta' a climactic piece in very fast tempo.

After the entry part is over, a section from the Nirvahanam part (Solo acting of a few slokas) is presented.

The programme ends with oral delivery what is known as "Anguleeyankam Tamil" or story telling in the local (non Sanskrit) dialect; actually a mix of Tamil and Malayalam.

SEMINAR IV

3.12.2005 Saturday 10 am

PAPER I

Presided over by: Sri. P. Narayana Kurup

Paper: Sri. Ramesh Varma
Challenges in the stage presentation of
Ascharya Choodamani; in Natyadharmi-Lokadharmi styles.

PAPER II

Presided over by: Dr. T. Devarajan

Paper: Dr. C.M. Neelakantan
The sentiment of wonder in Ascharyachoodamani

Act-VII Agnipravesankam (Misravishkambham)

Performed by: MARGI, Thiruvananthapuram

Vidyadharan : Margi Raman Chakyar
Soudamini : Margi Usha
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan Nambiar
Margi Ramanunni, P.K. Harish Nambiar
Edakka : Kalamandalam Krishnadas
Thimila : Margi Mohanan
Thalam : Indu. G
Chutty : R.L.V. Somadas, Margi Sreekumar

Two rare characters Vidyadharan & Soudamini (Gandharvas) make their appearance to celebrate "Ravana Vadha" (killing of Ravana in battle). They perform "Ambarayana" (travel through the skies) in their journey to the heavenly worlds to announce the joyous tidings of Ravana's end in battle (to Indra and the Devas).

6.00 to 9.00 pm

Act VII Agnipravesankam (Nataka Bhaga)

Performed by: MARGI, Thiruvananthapuram

Rama : Margi Madhu
Lekshmana : Kalamandalam Ravindran
Sita : Margi Sathi
Vibhishana : Margi Raman
Narada : Margi Narayana chakyar
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan Nambiar
Margi Ramanunni
P.K. Harish Nambiar
Edakka : Margi Venugopal
Thimila : Margi Mohanan
Thalam : Margi Usha
Chutty : R.L.V. Somadas, Margi Sreekumar

This is the concluding portion of the whole play.

After the fire ordeal of Sita, which is graphically described by Lekshmana (Ascharya Lekshmana), Narada enters with words of benediction to celebrate the happy ending. The sage relates a series of wonders about to unfold - the impending visit of Indra, the Devas, the Rudras and the forebears of Rama, from Manu to Dasaratha. The cause of their visit is the power of the chastity of Sita; the purpose is to proclaim to the whole world Sita's purity, though already proved through the fire ordeal.

Vibhishana enters and arranges for the Pushpaka Chariot of Vaishravana to be brought for the journey of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya. At the same moment when Indra and the Devas depart to the accompaniment of divine drums Rama and Sita, helped by Lekshmana, ascend the chariot. Sage Narada blesses them and himself departs to Devaloka in 'Ambarayana' or aerial journey. The play ends on this happy and auspicious note.

SEMINAR V

4.12.2005 Sunday 10.00 am

Presided over by:
Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan
Paper: Dr. P. Venugopalan
The present scenario of Kutiyattam

CONCLUDING SESSION

5.00 to 6.00 pm

Presided over by: Sri. Jayant Kastwar
(Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi)

Guest of Honour: Smt. Usha Malik
(Former Secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi)

6.00 to 7.00 pm

Act VII Agnipravesankam Bharatavakyam (End of Play)
Performed by: MARGI, Thiruvananthapuram
Sreeraman : Margi Madhu
Mizhavu : Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan Nambiar
Margi Ramanunni, P.K. Harish Nambiar
Edakka : Margi Venugopal
Thimila : Margi Mohanan
Thalam : Margi Usha
Chutty : Margi Ravindran

May the oblation offered with prayers to the Lord of the Gods be for the descent of auspicious rain; Let the God of Love, the Archer, desist from rashly aiming his shafts in immoral directions; May Kings bear the weight of their crowns with their minds directed toward the duties proper to them; Let intellect shake off its inner dormant state of inexpressiveness and attain composure and clarity.

Participants in the deliberations

Sri. Govindan S. Thampi

Sri. Sreemoolanagaram Mohanan

Sri. Chandrahasn

Sri. Sudhi

Sri. K. Kaladharan

Sri. Rajeswari

Sri. Gopakumar

Dr. Balasankar

Sri. Raghoothaman

Sri. Pramod Payyannur

Dr. M.G. Sasibhooshan

Sri. M. Madhavan Nair

Sri. Ettumanur Kannan

Sri. S.R.K. Pillai

Sri. John Vekkan

Sri. Raja Warrier

Sri. T.M. Abraham

Dr. Ambikatmajan Nair

Sri. Prasant Narayanan

Sri. Alex Vallikunnam