Kuzhalmannam Agraharam

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               ..Articles - Venmony Haridas
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Venmony Haridas All time Favorite Kathakali Music Artist to Remember

Kathakali is a Popular art of Kerala .Once upon a time the Kathakali music was not at all an attractive factor The function of vocal music in kathakali is the musical recitation of the repertoire for the actor to translate the text into gestures, movements and expressions.

Of the two singers, the first singer (pinnani)(Somebody says ponnani also),keeps the steady beat of the thala (rhythmic pattern) by using the chengalam, made of bell metal. He holds it in the left hand and beats with a stick to mark the rhythm. The supporting singer (sangiti) follows the first and also keeps the thala by using elathalam a pair of large bell-metal hand cymbols. With its close affinity towards temple music, kathakali music is identified with sopana music (sopanasangeetham). The word sopana means "stairs" and the phrase sopana style is said to have derived from the singing during the ritual ceremony near the steps to the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple. Reputed musicologists of south India hold that sopana sangeetham is at best a distinct style of singing rather than a different school of music independently developed in Kerala. In kathakali music, the style is more expansive and dramatic. The clarity of the text and the creation of the Bhaava or emotional mood of the characters are functionally the most important in kathakali music.

Mundaya Venkitakrishna Bhagavathar a veteran karnatic musician reformed kathakali music towards the beginning of this century to make it scientifically and technically sound. With a due emphasis on the visual impact of kathakali music, the reforms of Bhagavathar became convincing even to the well-disciplined karnatic musicians. The vocalists in kathakali who render the vachikabhinaya (verbal acting) are no less important than the actors. As a reform in kathakali music, harmonium as a drone instrument came to be used. However, the percussion instruments set limits to the use of harmonium as the basic sruti of kathakali music.

The above said matter is only a brief description regarding kathakali Music.There were many music artists came after Venkitakrishna Bhagavathar. There are some all time greates ,to remember like, (Thakazy Kuttanpillai,) ( Cherthala Kuttappakurup,) (Kalamandalam Ganngadharan,) (Thannirmukkam Viswambharan) (,Madambi,) (Kalamandalam Unnikrishnakkuruppu,) (.Pallom, Madhavan,) (Neelakantan Nambisan) (Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri,) (Kalamandalam Hyderali) ,and finally Venmony Haridas

The appearance of Kalamandalam Unnikrishna Kuruppu to the Kathakali scene of Kerala from Shantiniketan,Calcutta was really a turning point in Kathakali music.He was entirely different from the past Kathakali singers.His music was a mixure of Sopana sangeetham and Carnatic music.So people liked it very much.His Padam’s Marimankanni in Nalacharitham,Harinakshi in Kichakavadham ,Ajitha hare in Kuchelavritham were outstanding and all time favourites to remember.

The Great Kathakali legend Padmasri.Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair was an admirer of Sri.Kalamandalam Unnikrishnakurup.

This style was followed by two youngsters namely,Kalamandalam Sankaran Embanthiri and Kalamandalam,Venmony Haridas .both were the diciples of Kalamandalam,NeelakantanNambisan..Embranthiri as Ponnani and Haridas as Sangidy.They looked like a pair and attracted the Kathakali viewers so much due to their similarity in style and also the top quality in their Kathakali music.They performed in a lot of stages early in 1980’s and developed the popularityof Kathakali music among people of Kerala and outside . .It’s history.

The experience with Sankaran Embranthiri developed the skills of Venmony Haridas and he became the Ponnani singer and another star named Hyderali came to many stages as his deputy.From there till his unfortunate death on Saturday September17th ,2005 due to illness related to Lever complaint ,,Haridas was a popular and stylished Star in Kathakali Music and among Kathakali viewers especially in Kerala and all over in India.

He was a native of Thiruvairanikulam,Aluva,Venmony Illam ,S/o,Narayanan Nampoothiripad and Devasena Antharjanam.He Studied the Kathakali music at Kalamandalam,Cheruthuruthy,and after completing the course he joined at Mrinalini Sarabhai’s Darpana.After 7 years higher studies and service there,he joined in Margi,as Kathakali music tutorin 1978.During this time he developed his personal skills with class mate and the present great Kathakali singer,Kalamandalam Hyderali He promoted Kathakali music with Hyderali and conducted Kathakali music concerts in many stages.It was really a new experince,because through this programmes people can listen and enjoy the most important Padam’s of various Aatta katha’s.

He was also starred in two movies of Shaji N.Karun’s, Vanaprastham and Swam.

I was happened to listen a Kathakali Music concert at Ranjini Sangeethasabha Kottayam,Three years back.At that venue he accepted my request and sung the following songs.

1.        Kalayamee Sumathe…(Ragam Sankarabharanam) a part in Kuchelavritham.

2.        Veera virata…(Ragam Huseni) in Utharaswayamvaram.

3.        Kim kim Mahosakhi…(Ragam. Jonpuri) in BanaYudham

4.        Ajitha Hare (Ragam,Sree) ..in Kuchelavritham

5.        Sukhamodevi (Ragam.Nattakurinji) in Lavanasuravadham.

6.        Harinakshi (Ragam.Kamboji) in Keechakavadham

7.        Yami Yami Bhaimi (Ragam.Madhyamavathi) in Nalacharitham 3 rd day

8.        Poomathinotha Charuthan(Ragam Durbar) in Nalacharitham 4 th day.

 

I ,remembers this programme as an unforgettable movement in my life….Sure

Haridas was a best friend of mine ..He gave most memorable movements among our Keralites and I can’t belilve he is no more with us.But he still live among us through his stylish songs,year after years…………

With Pranam’s

********The author*********

K.Ananda Ram,Retd.Manager,( S B T ),
Geethanjali,Parippu.P.O,Kottayam-24.
Ph.2516486 (Code.0481 ),
Mob.9447660792

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