Khudyattam is the only living Sanskrit theater form in India, still an unused gold mine of ancient texts. The latest joy is drama Maricatikam ,
Maricatikam Common Qudiyam is different from the list of performances as its story does not revolve around kings, gods or characters from epic, but is around common people, love, friendship and a political coup. Probably, why a major reason Mricchakatikam, A thief and a courtesy with a courtesy, as its main plot, was never considered suitable for Kudiyattam.
Even Kalidas SakunthalamA famous Sanskrit drama was not shown in Judiatam until Venu gave it on stage in 2001. He is known for combining theater with subjects and socio-political consciousness. “When I moved to Kukiatam in 1976, women were not given much importance, although they performed female roles. It is my dream that I should present plays with a strong female lead.” Posting success of Sakunathlam, He directed Vikramoravasiam And Urubhangam – With Urvashi and Gandhari, respectively – as central characters. In all these plays, Venu’s daughter Kapila Venu has played the lead role.
In Mricchakatikam, Which has more than 30 characters,Kapila depicted Vasantasena, while Soraj Nambiar played the role of Charudatta. Nepathya Srihari Chakhar played Sarvilak as a thief, while Pothiyal Ranjit Chakar played the role of Karni Purak, Mahaout. Margi Sajeev Narayan Chakar, Shankar Venkatsuran, Kalamandalam Jishanu Pratap, Sarita Krishnakumar and Margi Anjana Chakar are the other actors who portray the decisive characters in the play.
Although a complex story, Mricchakatikam, At the level of the surface, there is a romantic story between a poor businessman and a rich etiquette. However, its inherent subject is about class, wealth, political corruption and redemption. And like many classical artforms, the focus is not on the plot but on its presentation.
Kapila Venu as Vasanthsena and Charudatta in Mrichakatikam as Soraj Nambiar. , Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat
“Vasantasena is contrary to any character that I have played earlier. She is intelligent, generous, cultured, educated and rich. It is beautiful that she looks at and ready for these very qualities in Charudata. In his depiction, I emphasize her freedom and power.”
The master comes with a new work. , Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat
According to Venu, “Khudyattam has dramatic elements to convince the audience that there is an elephant on the stage.” He also makes a bold statement in the climax of the play, Vasantasena traditionally performed ritual Mudiyakitha performed by the men’s lead. He explains: “Vasantasena is not an ordinary heroine. She is independent, virtue and philanthropist. Therefore, I decided to demonstrate her Mudiyakitha. We need to take such adventure to accept that today more women are raising this art form than men.”
Kapila also believes that the climax will be a moment of historical importance. “Bhartwakam, the final abundance of the play and the Mudiyakitha ritual marks the culmination of a Kudiyam drama and takes deep spiritual and dramatic meanings. The right to perform this ritual was restricted to the male actor.”
The biggest challenge for Venu was that “the 10-Actor Play had to be condensed to one for two and a half hours. It was to be done if Jukiattam had to be relevant and to be compatible with the demands of modern audiences. The first edition of my first edition Sakunthalam 13-ran away in a half hour and was staged in four days. Although it was appreciated, we could not stage many shows. Then we came with a small version, which was a success and is Creature Performed even today. ,
Ideas for stage mReciprocity The late theater director Habib Tanveer was encouraged, who first adapted it on stage using folk forms. “He saw our plays and suggested that we do Maricatikam And they were convinced that Judiattam could achieve what his folk version cannot do, ”Venu shared.
“Initially, we were not sure that it was suited to Kudiyam. After several readings for a month, I wrote a drama to include all the layers of my beauty capacity. But, it went into five-five and a half hours. After a rehearsal of one and four months, it was cut over a period of two-and-a-half hours.”
Collide for Maricatikam Kalamandalam Rajiv, Hariharan and Vinesh on Majuju, Idkaka and Gurukulam Unity with Kalanileyam Annikrishnan on Talam. A wind means Kurumkuzal, rarely used in Kudiyatam, is also used.
Mricchakatikam, Produced by Natanacarley and supported by Bengaluru, Bhimija Trust, there will be a premiere at Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru on 1 and 2 July.
Published – June 25, 2025 12:35 pm IST
