Verses in Kathakali

VINU VASUDEVAN

Kalamandalam Balasubramanian choreographed and staged Edasseri's poem `Poothappattu.'

ELOQUENT EXPRESSIONS: Kalamandalam Balasubramanian as Dharmaputrar in Kirmiravadhom

Renowned Kathakali artiste Kottakkal Sivaraman made a remark after watching `Kirmiravadhom Kathakali' at Ernakulam Kathakali Club. He said, "I am happy and optimistic about the future of Kathakali; characters like Dharmaputrar and Nala will live again through this young artiste."

He was talking about Kalamandalam Balasubramanian, who portrayed Dharmaputrar.

Sivaraman's praise for Subramanian's mature and elegant presentation is a pointer to the talent of this artiste. Moreover Subramanian is also a choreographer who has widened the stage of Kathakali. Without violating the traditional format of the art form, he has imaginatively used the props and the music to take Kathakali to new heights. Recently he choreographed and staged the famous poem `Poothappattu' by Edasseri. He enacted the role of Pootham while Sasikala donned the role of Nangeli. Shruthi Sasikala was Unni and Mathoor Muralikrishna enacted the role of Lalitha.

Says Subramanian, "When I first read the poem, I wondered how I would transform this into Kathakali. It was only because of my experience on the stage and the blessings of my gurus that I was able to do it."

Master's touch

The two-hour play became a delight for viewers. One reason was Subramanian's creative use of the traditional `thirasheela' or curtain for Kathakali. At times, it became a door to peep from, at times it was a hill to hide behind... Using apt ragas for the situations and suitable kalasams, Subramanian proved his mastery in Kathakali.

Without changing the lyrics, Subramanian adapted the poem into the Kathakali format. The choreography brought to life the evergreen poem. It was another milestone in Subramanian's career.

Born and brought up in a village called Kothachira, near Pattambi, Subramanian's artistic endeavour received ample support from his family. C.V. Warrier, his father, was a patron of art and culture. He encouraged Subramanian to train as a Kathakali artiste. In his mid-teens Subramanian joined Kerala Kalamandalam and studied under stalwarts like Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and Kalamandalam Gopi. After the six-year diploma course, a scholarship enabled him to polish his talent for four more years.

It was a golden period for Kathakali. Masters like Kunju Nair, Krishnan Nair, Ramankutty Nair and Padmanabhan Nair reigned on the stage. Balasubramanian utilised this opportunity to hone his talent by working with them. He became a professor in Kerala Kalamandalam in 1979.

'Pootham' in Poothapattu.

Unique style

One of the highlights of his performances is the accuracy and perfection of postures and mudras (hand gestures). What makes his style unique is his ability to blend Ramankutty Nair's perfection and Gopi Asan's aesthetics. Balasubramanian, known as `Balasu' among lovers of Kathakali, is an artiste with a well-structured chitta and abhinaya. This was something he achieved though intense training under his gurus. Characters from Kottayam Kathas such as Dharmaputrar, Bhiman, Arjunan, Nalan and Lord Krishna in different stories are his masterpieces. His enactment of Kathi veshmans (negative characters) like Ravana and Narakasura have also been well received by the audience.

Subramanian, who is now working as head of the department at Kerala Kalamandalam, is also a teacher. A number of up-and-coming artistes are the products of his kalari.

Subramanian has also made valuable contributions in the visual media by training Mohanlal for the film `Vanaprastham.' Similarly he provided the know-how for M.T. Vasudevan Nair's documentary on Mohiniyatam and for Jayaraj's `Deshadanam.'

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