So what? One may ask. Many people many times, year after year, do watch Kathakali. So, what is new?
That is the point. It was new for me. I was watching it for the first time, when I was just about 3 years young. (I am never old. Even now, I am just 68 years young.)
I didn't even know I was watching Kathakali. We went for some big birthday feast to some house in the nearby village and as part of the celebrations, there was a Kathakali performance through the night. I had gone there with my father and uncle and my uncle never missed a performance. He allowed me to join in.
Uncle wanted to sit right in the front row, but we just couldn't manage it. We got a place to sit, that too after a bit of circus, some 3 or 4 rows back from the stage. Not a raised stage but a small Pandal which marked the performing area. The 'stage' was lit by two 'petromax' lamps and flames from a huge tall brass lamp (kalivilakku).
I liked the purappad, as I definitely remember the colourful curtain (thirassela) and the beautiful attire of the two characters on the stage. I do not remember when I actually slept, but my uncle told me that by the end of Purappad, I was already fast asleep.
What I remember well was the way I woke up. It was the big screams and shouts of Bali and Sugreeva, as they were running around among the audience, which woke me up. The moment I opened my eyes, I saw these two huge 'rakshasa'-like figures, (I had already been introduced to Rakshasa stories by my great grandma and these two, by their looks, could fit some of them) running towards me. The rest is only a blurred memory, assisted by uncle's version. (Uncle said I screamed out loud in fear and Bali and Sugreeva ran away scared)
But the fact was that I was bed-ridden for next three days with fever and was in delirium (the degree of fever and the delirium got exaggerated over a period as my uncles and aunts talked at various forums.)
But in another year or two, I was ready to go with my uncles to watch full night performances of Kathakali and as years went by, I became an ardent enthusiast, which I am even now.
I am sure my lazy chair will take me to some of those memorable kathakali performances I had seen during my chidhood days.
That is the point. It was new for me. I was watching it for the first time, when I was just about 3 years young. (I am never old. Even now, I am just 68 years young.)
I didn't even know I was watching Kathakali. We went for some big birthday feast to some house in the nearby village and as part of the celebrations, there was a Kathakali performance through the night. I had gone there with my father and uncle and my uncle never missed a performance. He allowed me to join in.
Uncle wanted to sit right in the front row, but we just couldn't manage it. We got a place to sit, that too after a bit of circus, some 3 or 4 rows back from the stage. Not a raised stage but a small Pandal which marked the performing area. The 'stage' was lit by two 'petromax' lamps and flames from a huge tall brass lamp (kalivilakku).
I liked the purappad, as I definitely remember the colourful curtain (thirassela) and the beautiful attire of the two characters on the stage. I do not remember when I actually slept, but my uncle told me that by the end of Purappad, I was already fast asleep.
What I remember well was the way I woke up. It was the big screams and shouts of Bali and Sugreeva, as they were running around among the audience, which woke me up. The moment I opened my eyes, I saw these two huge 'rakshasa'-like figures, (I had already been introduced to Rakshasa stories by my great grandma and these two, by their looks, could fit some of them) running towards me. The rest is only a blurred memory, assisted by uncle's version. (Uncle said I screamed out loud in fear and Bali and Sugreeva ran away scared)
But the fact was that I was bed-ridden for next three days with fever and was in delirium (the degree of fever and the delirium got exaggerated over a period as my uncles and aunts talked at various forums.)
But in another year or two, I was ready to go with my uncles to watch full night performances of Kathakali and as years went by, I became an ardent enthusiast, which I am even now.
I am sure my lazy chair will take me to some of those memorable kathakali performances I had seen during my chidhood days.
I have seen few only on TV....and one really yearns to see a live show...I pray that the culture does not die down.
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