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Dance of Kerala
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The crisis in Kerala Natanam owes itself to the tug-of-war between art and commerce.
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Is it possible to teach the MTV kid a lesson or two on Kathakali? The answer is yes.
Originated in the late 1930s, `Kerala Natanam' offers Kathakali in a simplified manner. Once an esoteric art form, confined to the courtyards of palaces and temples, Kathakali has now reached the layman, thanks to the genuine efforts of great artistes such as Guru Gopinath and Ragini Devi (mother of the great Indian dancer, Indrani Rehman).
The late Guru Gopinath developed his own style of Kathakali without compromising the traditional disciplines and the classical background. And his successors named it `Kerala Natanam'. "He was a born artist. His contribution was his ingenuity to expand the framework of tradition," says Sasi Mohan, the editor of `Weblokam' (the first Malayalam web portal from Kerala) and Guru Gopinath's son in law.
Unlike other dance forms such as Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattom, in KathaKali, one could debut only after twelve years of rigorous learning. In `Kerala Natanam', you have the six-year syllabus. The strength, potential and adaptability of Kathakali is showcased in Kerala Natanam. This is achieved through the presentation of contemporary Indian and international themes instead of focusing on the usual mythological subjects. Ballets such as `Sree Yesunatha Vijayam', `Divya Naadam', `Sister Nivedita', `Chandala Bhikshuki' and `Kerala Piravi' are among the successful experiments in Kerala Natanam.
Nanthancode Vinayachandran, a well-known Kerala Natanam performer and Guruji's pupil, altered the art form by giving it "a new look". "In Guruji's days, Kerala Natanam did not have any costume code. The apparels used were totally dependent upon the character played on stage. The dance form was not even known by the name, `Kerala Natanam'. There came an urgent need to identify the dance from among other south Indian dance forms. So I felt there should be a costume code for Kerala Natanam, like any other dance form," says Nanthancode Vinayachandran.
Kerala Natanam was included in Kerala State School Youth Festivals, five years ago. "I have spent a lot of money and met a lot of people to bring this item to the Youth festivals," says Vinayachandran. "A new costume code has been adopted for Kerala Natanam, in order to get it admitted to the Kerala State South Festival menu. Nowadays, every art form in Kerala is becoming youth festival oriented; professional dancers are in the run to increase their income," says Vasanthi Jayaswal, daughter of Guru Gopinath and a famous Bharathanatyam exponent.
"In the U.S, we never teach Kerala Natanam as such. If Vinayachandran gave a new dress code, he should say that it's his style. He should not use Guruji's name to support it. We cannot classify dance forms like what they do in Zoology. Father never designed a costume for Kerala Natanam," adds Vasanthi Jayaswal.
The Viswa Kalakendram, established in 1963 at Vattiyoorkavu, now offers courses in `Kerala Natanam'. Run by Vinodini Sasi Mohan, Guru Gopinath's daughter, the Kalakendram is now on the verge of extinction. "There are only a few teachers in Kerala who know the traditional style and the real style, which is attached to Kathakali. Viswa Kalakendram is the only place that preserves the Guru Gopinath style," says Vinodini. Asked about the new costume code, Vinodini said that new innovations are killing much-appreciated art forms across the globe.
According to Vasanthi Jayaswal, there are two major reasons for the current crisis. A lot of people are using the name of Guru Gopinath for name and fame. They need a flag to attract attention, and now it's Kerala Natanam, which is the only dance form that lacks an authority. "Nobody really cares for the dance or to preserve the Guru Gopinath style," she says.
RAJ
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