Oottupura Malika ready for Kathakali nights

TRIPUNITHURA: The coming seven nights from  Wednesday will be invaluable for the Kathakali buffs across the state. Along with the holy flag-hoisting of the Vrischikolsavam at the Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple, the traditional bell-metal lamp in front of the dais of Kathakali will be lit at the Oottupura Malika.The opening Kathakali is Nalacharitham First Day, with Kalamandalam Gopi Asan portraying Nalan. It will be notable for the dazzling performance of Kalamandalam Shanmukhadas as Dhamayanthi and FACT Padmanabhan as Hamsam.Kottakkal Narayanan will sing the Kathakali songs with the rhythmic support of Kalamdnalam Sankara Warrier on maddalam and Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan on chenda.The second play on the first day will be Prahlada Charitham.On Thursday Nalacharitham Second Day will be staged with Kalamandalam Balasubramanyan as Nalan and Nelliyod Vasudevan Namboothiri as Kali.  Kalamandalam Sreekumar will enact the role of Kaattalan.Pathiyur Sankarankutty and Kottakkal Madhu will lead the singing of the songs.On third night, the women’s troupe of the Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram will present the Poothanamoksham, Balivadham and Dakshayaagam.Padmabhooshan Madavoor Vasudevan Nair will be the main attraction of the Kathakali on November 24. Madavoor will immortalise the role Kamsa in Kamsa Vadham.  Kalyana Sougandhikam and Duryodhana Vadham will be staged on fifth night.On the sixth night, Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier will play the role of Arjuna in Santhaanagopalam and Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody the role of Brahmanan.This will be followed by the staging of Narakaasura Vadham with Kottakkal Kesavan Kundalaayar as Narakaasuran. These two plays will be enriched by the rendering of the Padams by Palanadu Divakaran and Kalamandalam Babu Namboothiri. The seven-night Kathakali feast will conclude with the staging of Rugminiswayamvaram and Kiraatham on 29th November, Tuesday.