THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Exceptional performance skills and deep knowledge in the art form made Margi Sathi a distinguished artiste, veteran film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan said on Sunday."She wasn't a mere performer but a scholar in Nangyarkoothu, who could compose 'Aattaprakaram' (performance manual) for different plays. Sathi was the best-ever performer in the art form," he said. Adoor was speaking after releasing 'Rangasree,' a biography of Margi Sathi, penned by journalist V S Rajesh, here."Sathi's performance was a highlight of the documentary which I prepared for the UNESCO before Kutiyattam was proclaimed as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity," he recalled.
Veteran Kathakali artiste Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri, who received the first copy, remembered Sathi as one who fought all odds in her pursuit to master the art form.Writer B Murali, who introduced the book to the audience, said the work was distinguished for Sathi's plain speaking. "Her different roles in life as an artiste, homemaker and woman, and the challenges she faced are well described in the work," he said. "The book throws light into Sathi's Ekalavya-style learning using the library of Margi, which is inspiring for any performer," he said.Recalling Sathi's acting career, veteran filmmaker M P Sukumaran Nair said that she was an artiste least bothered about luxury. "She never demanded any personal comforts and was seen reading books and taking notes during free time," he said. Soorya Stage and Film Society director Soorya Krishnamoorthy, senior journalists K P Mohanan, R S Babu, Press Club president R Ajithkumar and secretary S L Syam spoke.