Kalamandalam Venkitaraman (C) with his students Sneha (L) and Narmada. Photo: Gopika K.P.Kannur: Hartal in Kannur could not mar the spirit of the participants who came to perform Kathakali group event at the Kalolsavam. All the nine teams which participated got A grades. And guess what? The Palakkad group which got first prize and Kannur district which got second was trained by the same teacher - Kalamandalam Venkitaraman. Speaking to him, it was clear that the master was impressed by the Kathakali skills of Narmada, his 13-year-old disciple from Palakkad, who won the first prize in Kathakali group event with her schoolmate Sneha.
Narmada, an 8th standard student of H.S. Puliyaparamba, Palakkad has already mastered the art. She has also mastered Theppu, the first stage of the art of applying Kathakali make-up. It is very rare to see a girl of her age do Theppu without anyone's help. "She knows how to mix the natural substances and herbs to produce the color and applies it herself. It’s still a wonder to me," says Kalamandalam Venkitaraman. She has been doing the make-up by herself for the past two years. Narmada also knows to put Chutti (white ridges from the chin to either side of the cheek).
Narmada joined Venkitaraman's Kathakali Gramam in Kallekulangara in 2013 where he trains students in Kathakali. He equips them with the knowledge and skills a Kathakali artist must possess. She gave her first recital in 2014 and has given many performances like Kuchelavritham, Kirmeeravadham, and Duryodhanavadham, Uttaraswayavaram, Prahladacharitham, and Lavanasuravadham.
But what makes her special is her Katthivesha - a combination of royalty and evil she did in 2015 which is supposed to be the most difficult and challenging veshas in Kathakali. She played the role of Duryodhana and there are only a few who does Kathivesha at a very young age. Unlike Pacha, Kathivesha gives out loud cries according to the occasion to blend heroism and evil.
"I am thankful to my master as he explains the whole story before I start practicing. This gives me more confidence while performing. He also tells me where and how to express wholeheartedly and where to stay subdued," said Narmada.
Narmada's father, a KSRTC employee, used to take her to watch Kathakali performances right from a very young age. Her mother Preetha, a teacher, takes interest in the art. Narmada started imitating what she saw on stage. Her father, Vasudev, realized that her talent lies in it. "I used to meet Vasudev while traveling in bus from Palakkad and he used to ask me whether Narmada could learn under me. I asked him to wait for the right time and started giving her training when she was 9. She is a gem and works hard to learn the art," said Venkitaraman.
Venkitaraman teaches around 45 students and started his career in 1984 when he was sixteen years old. He also accepts that he learns new techniques while teaching the students. Narmada, who performed along with Sneha, displayed the most difficult story of Bheema and Hidumbi at Kalolsavam stage. “She truly deserves the prize as I have seen her working hard watching various performances and experimenting new techniques. I feel proud of her,” said her father Vasudev.
An art form like Kathakali used to be a male-dominated and for generations, women performers were neglected. "Even now, girls are not allowed to learn Kathakali in Kalamandalam. That’s why they depend on private institutions. Most of the girls who come to learn at my center do wonders," said Venkitaraman.
Beside Narmada, the team from Chovva H.S.S. in Kannur which got second prize was also trained by Venkitaraman.
