In September last year, a mother-daughter duo's incredible 30-minute Kathakali performance, enacting 'Geethopadesham' at Thiruthiyadu Azhakodi Devi temple in Kozhikode, mesmerised an elite gathering.
Ajitha Azhakathu Illathu, a maths teacher who also doubles as an announcer at All India Radio, and her daughter Unnimaya were the performers who charmed the august audience.
Interestingly, it was after a gap of three-and-a-half decades that Ajitha was performing on stage. And Ajitha's prime motive was the overwhelming urge to perform on stage with her daughter.
Ajitha donned the robes of Lord Krishna, who guides Arjuna, played to perfection by Unnimaya, with sagacious insights into what constitutes Dharma.
There is a striking parallel that syncs their lives with this stage performance.
“When we decided to perform together, 'Geethopadesham' felt like the right act since it shows a sagacious Lord Krishna giving guidance to Arjuna, who confided his apprehensions in the battlefield. Just like how my mother guides me each day when I stumble upon fears,” says Unnimaya.
Art in DNA
Ajitha was born in a family which patronised arts. Her father encouraged Ajitha and her five sisters to get trained in classical arts at a very young age itself. The sisters held performances across the state and earned fame as 'Mattannoor sisters'.
Ajitha's earlier performancesAjitha was trained in Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchupudi, folk dance and classical music. Winning medals in state school youth festivals then became a routine affair for her. Later on, she gave up classical dance when a busy work schedule and family responsibilities took over.
The Mattannoor sisters still perform Thiruvathira occasionally for Doordarshan.
Ajitha and Muraleedharan's kids Unnikrishnan and Unnimaya also showed an aptitude for performing arts from a young age.
Ajitha, who won the Kalathilakam title at the Kannur district school 'Kalolsavam' (arts festival) in 1979, stuck to impromptu performances and focused on training and supporting her children. After Unnikrishnan and Unnimaya started excelling in state-level youth festivals, Ajitha nursed an ambition to revive her artistic pursuits.
When Unnimaya started training under Kalamandalam Sajan, Ajitha also joined her daughter. Gradually, they started pondering about performing together.
“I joined Unnimaya's Kathakali training initially to support her. With the support of my husband and kids, I took up the dream of performing again. Kathakali seemed like the best choice for that,” says Ajitha.
That is how the famous Thiruthiyadu Azhakodi Devi temple performance was conceptualised.
Syncing on stage
Ajitha was performing Kathakali on a stage after a long break – 35 years to be precise. Nevertheless, she showed no signs of nervousness.
“She kept me steady while I was struggling with the heavy deck-up. Whenever I perform, Amma is the one who gives me instructions and help me tackle anxiety. It was no different that time also,” says Unnimaya.
Ajitha as Lord Krishna and Unnimaya as Arjuna during the Geethopadesham performance.The duo could easily sync their acts on the stage due to their rapport. They could sense when the other person feels tired or stressed.
“The empathetic nature helped us pull out a well-synced performance,” she added.
“Performing with my daughter was truly a thrilling and fulfilling experience. Since I was doing it after such a long break, I worked hard to ensure perfection in my act. It was an incredible experience. I look forward to performing with her again,” says Ajitha.
Incidentally, Ajitha's sister Vijayakumari had performed Kuchipudi with her daughter Manjari in February last year.
Ajitha, a maths teacher at Government Higher Secondary School, Kuttikkattoor, has also donned the role of an announcer for the All India Radio.
Unnimaya is a BSc mathematics student at the Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode.
The common thread of mathematics is again coming into play in their artistic pursuits. Ajitha is currently working on the possibilities of synchronizing mathematical equations into classical arts, specifically Kathakali.
Unnimaya won the best actress prize in the drama competition of the Calicut University Interzone Kalolsavam held in Thrissur in April. Her brother Unnikrishnan is also a theatre artiste.
Ajitha's husband P Muraleedhan, a retired school principal, is the bedrock of the family's overwhelming patronage of performing arts.
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