Cuttack, May 26: Satiric yet rhythmic lyrics of Ottanthullal, a classical performing art of Kerala, was the centre of attraction on the third day of the ongoing national convention of the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth (Spimacay) being held at Ravenshaw University here. Young delegates of the convention regaled the audience in the magic of the age-old dance form on Wednesday evening.
Dating back to the 18th century, the songs for this dance form, known as Thulal, were created by famous Malayalam poet Kunchan Nambiar. The solo performance by popular Ottanthullal artiste Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan combined dance and recitation of stories in verse. He enthralled the audience with the narration of the story of Draupadi who got fascinated towards a beautiful flower and asked Bhima to get the flower for her during the exile period of the Pandavas.
Dressed in a long tape of white and red coloured clothes looped around the waist-string that form a knee-long skirt, the dancer tried to depict the encounter of Bhima with his own brother lord Hanuman, who had disguised himself in the form of an old monkey to obstruct the path in the forest. The story ends after Bhima gets the flower with Hanuman’s help. The entire enactment was full of humour that is the characteristic of the art form.
“Ottanthullal has undergone a number of changes keeping in view the taste of the audiences. However, the costumes and make up of the dancer, which resemble the Kathakali to a great extent, have remained the same,” said Mohanakrishnan.
Besides Otanthullal, Mohiniattam by Methil Devika and Bharatnatyam by C. V. Chandrasekhar were the other added attractions yesterday.
Seventy-six -year-old professor C.V. Chandrasekhar cast a spell with his magnificent movements and abhinaya that held the audience stuck to their seats during the two-hour performance. Accompanied by wife Jaya, K. Hariprasad on the vocals, Anil Kumar on the mrudangam and T.K. Padmanabham on violin, the entire performance by the veteran Bharatnatyam dancer was one of the most exciting and inspiring one.
According to Chandrasekhar, traditional art forms will always attract the younger generations of the country. “The rich art and culture of India define the heritage of the country, and we must try to popularise them through such conventions for the youth,” he said.
Youngsters witnessing the collage of performances were seen immersed in the waves of music and dance.
“The Ottanthullal performance was simply amazing for its satirical touch and striking make-up. The artistes should be congratulated for having saved such wonderful traditions with so many efforts,” said Sudhanshu Pati, a student.
