Margi Sajeev Narayana Chakyar as the love-smitten Ravana sits glued to his peetam for a little over three hours and slowly, using only his eyes and face, portrays the expressions on Ravana’s ten faces as they react to Sita’s beauty. A day-long event on June 2 to honour Sajeev on his 60th birthday was an occasion for the Koodiyattam community …
Kerala Kalamandalam recently created history by selecting a non-Chakyar for its Fellowship in Koodiyattam. While sea changes in society have been compelling the traditional performers or Chakyars to migrate to other vocations, Venu, a consummate performer of Kathakali, groomed by doyens such as Chengannur Raman Pillai and Guru Gopinath, plunged headlong into the world of Koodiyattam after watching a performance …
