KOCHI: A Nalan who can match Kottakkal Sivaraman is yet to be born, stated renowned kathakali critic, the late K P S Menon in his work ‘Kathakali Rangam’. Kathakali connoisseurs still consider Kottakkal Sivaraman and Kalamandalam Gopi as the ideal Nalan and Damayanthi pair for the masterpiece ‘Nalacharitham’ penned by Unnayi Warrier.
A year has passed since the legend left us. A remembrance meet will be held to observe his first death anniversary on Saturday at TDM Hall. One can recall how Sivaraman immortalised the role of Damayanthi.
Kathakali buffs have decided to present a memorable kathakali evening. Nalacharitham-third day, with Kalamandalam Gopi as Bahukan and Chembakkara Vijayan as Damayanthi, will be held under the aegis of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Ernakulam Karayogam and Bank Employees Art Movement Ernakulam.
Kalamandalam Gopi is all set to give a fitting tribute to his other half through a full-length performance of Nalacharitham - third day.
The matchless chemis try of the duo’s Nalan and Damayanthi presented many immortal acting moments for kathakali buffs. The third and fourth days of the four-night-long Nalacharitham portrays the sorrowful scenes of Bahuka and Damayanthi to which Kalamandalam Gopi and Kottakkal Sivaraman jointly contributed many creative scenes by going beyond the literature of the ‘Aattakatha’.
Senior actors including Kalamandalam Balasubrahmanyan (Rithuparnan), Chambakkara Vijayan (Damayanthi), Kalamandalam Sreekumar (Sudevan), Sadanam Mohan (Karkodakan) and others don the other roles.
Pathiyoor Sankaran Kutty and Kalamandalam Rajeev will render the songs.
Kalamandalam Krishnadas (chenda) and Kalamandalam Manoj (maddalam) will accompany the artists.
Kalamandalam Saji, Eroor Sasi and Kumaran are the green room assistants. The Kaliyogam is Kochi Cultural Centre.
A documentary on Kottakkal Sivaraman titled ‘minukku’ will be screened at 4 pm.