An Eternal Romance With Kathakali

It was the annual day celebration at the Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) in Kozhikode last December. The battery of events included a Kathakali performance—Duryodhanavadham. The tale from Mahabharata was indeed riveting. The real surprise came at the end. Patients, their companions and a majority of the hospital staff were astonished when they realised that Krishna’s character was performed by none other than their very own veteran Pediatrician Dr Sudha Krishnanunni.

Dr Sudha is daughter of P K S Raja, the present Zamorin (royal title) of Kozhikode has been doing a balancing act for the last few decades. For, she has been serving as a pediatrician and performing ‘Kathakali’ quite comfortably. The sexagenarian physician, before joining MIMS had a successful stint at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode. The pediatrician is now into her 25th year as an artist.

Sudha’s love affair with Kathakali began after witnessing the art at her mother’s house in Nilambur Kovilakam, the cultural heart of Nilambur, a place in Malappuram district. “Then we were based in Chennai and used to come to Kerala during school vacations. Kathakali recitals were common during festivals. We had a temple inside the Nilambur Kovilakam and the whole family used to regularly go to enjoy the recitals. I was amazed by the dancer’s expressions, movement of the eyeballs, eyelids and fingers.’’

Dr Sudha, then a 10-year-old girl conveyed her interest in learning Kathakali to her maternal uncle. “Initially, he thought it was just a fascination. Besides, a few women practiced the art at that time. But when he realised that I was deeply interested, he arranged a Kathakali teacher at our residence in Nungumbakkam, Chennai,’’ she said.

The outhouse of her residence soon became a Kathakali school. Around 25 students also joined the class and we started to perform in and around Chennai. “It was not just a passion or a hobby. Our Guru Balakrishnan was very particular and we received a proper basic course,’’ said Dr Sudha, who did her Arengettam (debut on-stage performance) at Guruvayur in 1960. She continued her practice even after getting admission to MBBS.

While doing her MD in Oxford University in UK in 1988, she performed Kathakali there as well. “It was really a wonderful experience. Students and faculty were keen to know about the art. After a brief enactment, I demonstrated them various Mudras and make-up of characters as they were very interested to learn Kathakali,’’ Dr Sudha added.

Besides, she performed at several stages in Mumbai, Trichy, Chennai, Coimbatore and Kerala. Dr Sudha, usually portrays lord Krishna’s character in Kuchelavritham, Duryodhanavadham, Rukmini Swayamvaram, Lavanasuramardhanam and Gurudakhina. She plays the role of Panchali in Keechakabadham, Lalitha in Kirmeeravadham and Uthara in Uthara Swayamvaram. She also excelled in solo Kathakali performance, Poothana Moksham.

Once in a while Dr. Sudha does a refresher course at the Cheliya Kathakali Vidyalayam in Kozhikode, founded by noted Kathakali exponent Guru Chemencheri Kunhiraman Nair. Dr Sudha feels that Kathakali is making a comeback in Kerala. “After the 1990s, I think, interest in Kathakali declined significantly. There was a period when it even disappeared from the temple festivals. Now, things have changed a lot,’’ she said.

Dr Sudha is the vice-chairman of ‘Navarasam’, a cultural organization based in Kozhikode which is working for revival of Kathakali. It also provides opportunities for talented children to learn the art. She is also the active member of Thodayam Kathakali Yogam and Sopanam, which work for promotion of traditional arts, forms particularly Kathakali.

Sudha is all praise for her husband Krishnanunni Raja for his support and appreciation. “Being her husband it’s unfair to comment on her performance, but one thing I must say. I appreciate her sincerity and dedication for taking a lot of pain and perform Kathakali even at this age,’’ added K Raja.

(The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine)