TRIPUNITHURA: With the demise of Kalamandalam Kesavan, a living encyclopaedia of kathakali vanished in the history of the classic art form of the state. He was basically a percussionist. But he was much more than that. In the history of kathakali, he deserves a special status, that of a musician, a singer, a lyricist and a composer.
Yes! By all means, Kesavan was the merging point of myriad art forms. In that sense, he is the human form of thouryathrayam (combination of three entirely different art forms - geetam (music) vadyam (rhythm) and nritham (dance). He was an artiste who mastered chenda and used it as an effective medium to enthral the audience in the traditional malamalkavu style.
Kesavan was born in the Nethiath tharavad in Peringode to Kurankattmanakkal Vamanan Namboodiri and Nethiath Janaki Amma on May 16, 1936. He had initially learnt ‘chenda’ at the age of nine from his uncle Nethiath Govindan Nair who was a renowned thayambaka artiste.
Kesavan had his schooling in Chathannur near Peringode. It is said that after learning chenda he used to play in temples to remit his school fees. He joined the Kalamandalam after completing standard X and was a disciple of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval and Appunni Poduval.
“Kes avan was a genius among the kathakali artists and was also very dynamic,” recalled Kunjikuttan Thampuran of Idoop Palace who had decades-long friendship with Kesavan.
“Through his chenda, Kesavan conveyed entirely different emotions like the romantic mood of Nala in Nalacharitham and also the weeping of Baahuka who had lost his lover in the forest, “ Thampuran says.
Kesavan considered singing as a serious profession and presented the intricate stinging style especially during intricate occasions like thosayam.
He was a versatile artist who proved his skill in controlling the plays rooted both in chitta pradhaanam (following the intricate steps of dance) and also kavya pradhaanam (dominated by emotional scenes).
He had bagged the Kalamandalam Award, the Kalasahitya Vedi Award and the Pisharody Award.
He was also awarded the Pattikanthode Ravunni Menon Memorial Award for his meritorious service to kathakali.