| |
Theatre listings >
Theatre Index >>
The Kala Chethena Kathakali Troupe-
Tour
The Story - Dussassana Vadam by The
Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
Co-Director Kalamandalam Vijayakumar
Co-Director Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar
Makeup Artist Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar
Singers Kalamandalam Mohan Krishnan Poduval, Kalamandalam Rajendren
Drummers Kalamandalam Krishna Das, Kalamandalam Nambeesen-Madalam
Actors Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, Kalamandalam K G Vadusaven, Kalamandalam
Vasu Pisharodi, Kalamandalam Unnithan, Kalamandalam Jayakumar, Kalamandalam
Haridas
Technical Manager Paul Carson
Technical AssistantIan Prescott
Venue seen - St Bride's Centre
Touring until 30th November. Check www.kathakali.net for details
or email info@kathakali.net
Reviewer Ksenija Horvat
Exquisite, for those who can get to grip
At two hours of playing time, plus a fifteen-minute interval, this offering
by The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company from Kerala, South West India,
is a bit on a heavy-handed side. The performance by a group of accomplished
actors is exquisite, for those who can get to grips with this traditional
presentation of complex themes and images from the Mahabharatha.
Kathakali is the male classical dance drama which originated in the temples
of Kerala over 500 years ago, and which differs from other classical South
Asian dance styles in the sense that a Kathakali performer is known as
an actor, not a dancer, and his performances are seen as plays. The Kala
Chethena Kathakali Company have done their best to provide good entertainment,
as well as educational value, and test the taste buds of a small band
of Edinburgh's audience who dared to be at St Bride's on the night. The
lack of South Asian audience was clearly visible. Apart from one or two
exceptions, the production attracted merely a few university students
and Asian dance enthusiasts.
On this occasion, the Company chose to present two episodes from the Mahabharata:
the expulsion of the Pandavas after an ill-fated game of dice with his
cousins, the Kauravas, and the Pandavas' victory years later on the battlefield
of Karukshetra. Each scene is accompanied by musicians and singers "narrating"
the story. However, the fluidity of structure and "narrating" styles allows
an open interpretation, and musicians can extend any part of the story
that they see fit, thus enhancing the spontaneity of form and content.
The beauty and precision of individual performances, that has been achieved
through the long rigorous training, shine against a backdrop of simple
staging and few props. They are matched by some bawdy humour and vociferous
music, all of which evoke in the audience's minds the noises and colourfulness
of a village market square where this kind of a show would be presented
traditionally. The richness of costume and three-dimensional makeup, which
is unique to the Company, lure the spectators into the outlandish magic
world of Mahabharata as you have never seen it before. Mr Brook, hide
your face in shame.
© Ksenija Horvat 1 November 2002, for EdinburghGuide.com
© Thelma Good 17 September 2002. - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Cast:
Theatre's production of
Tour begins
Tour ends
Theatre listings >>
Theatre Index >>
|
|
