KOCHI: It was a lifetime association — entering Kalamandalam as a lad of 13 and then bidding farewell as the principal of the esteemed art school. Prof CM Balasubramanian who will retire in March from Kalamandalam speaks about his alma mater with pride and affection.
“Kalamandalam is the only school I have attended. I have never gone to any other school,” he says. A student of Padmabhushan Kalamandalam Raman Kutti Nair and Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi, he remembers how kathakali had been a part of his life in his formative years. “My father and mother were interested in kathakali and kathakali music and it was their fondness for the art form that eventually lead me to Kalamandalam,” he said.
The artist who has performed on a remarkable number of stages around the world and taught the art form for about 32 years says that it is the ‘pacha veshams’ that he enjoys doing most. “Though I have done a lot of ‘kathi veshams’ I prefer ‘pacha’,” he says.
He has also authored two books — Eye and Flower and Markhandeya Charitham (A myth) . “Another work I am happy about is the kathakali adaptation of Dhandakaranyam. The poem by Vallathol was choreographed in an innovative style but by strictly adhering to the principles,” he said.
Balasubramanian has participated in workshops around the world and given lecture demonstrations in different universities, including Elkins University, Varshaw University and Jafna University. He has taken his art form to countless stages outside India giving foreigners a first hand experience of the dance drama. He has performed over 35 stages abroad, in Turkey, Moscow, Bulgaria, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, South America, Portugal, Canada, Spain, Indonesia, England, Thailand, Australia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Tehran, Holand and Poland.
“You will find a lot of kathakali aficionados outside Kerala. Even in European countries they show great respect and admiration for the art form,” he said.
He also has it that though kathakali artists are acknowledged and highly appreciated in Kerala it is a high-risk career option. “A person who has learned kathakali and made it his career will find it difficult to earn his livelihood.
Of course they will have a number of stage performances but no regular income,” he said.
He said that the authorities should include kathakali in school and college curricula as an appreciation course and appoint students from kalamandalm as
teachers.
“It will make students capable of understanding and appreciating kathakali and it will be profitable to both the parties,” he said.