Sooraj Nambiar, one of the senior disciples of maestro Ammanur Madhava Chakyar, performing Unmatha Vikramam at Natanakairali, in Irinjalakuda.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The architects of Koodiyattam, the Sanskrit theatre tradition that survives only in Kerala, is the Chakyar community for whom the performance of the art form is ‘Kuladharma’ (family duty). While the works of various well-known poets have remained the mainstay of this art form, it is surprising to note that the Chakyars have been less enthusiastic about the works of Kalidasa, who is popular across the globe.
It was Koodiyattam exponent G. Venu who broke the norm and performed Kalidasa’s Abhignanasakutalam in 2003. The worldwide recognition it received encouraged Venu to stage the first three Acts of Vikramorvasiyam.
Recently, Sooraj Nambiar, an ace performer and a disciple of the maestro Ammannur Madhava Chakyar sprang a surprise by presenting the fourth Act — for the first time in the history of…