Actor Nedumudi Venu pays homage to Kavalam (Photo: Rinkuraj Mattancheriyil) and Kavalam Narayana Panikkar (R)I had a chance to meet Kavalam Narayana Panikkar when we were taking part in a drama competition at Alappuzha. Our drama 'Vicharana', written by Fazil, won the first prize and Kavalam was one of the judges.
After declaring the prizes, Kavalam came to meet us and invited me to his house, saying that he wanted to discuss with me future drama projects. That was the first time I met him even though Nedumudi is close to Kavalam. Until then, I knew him only as a literary figure in Kavalam.
Also read: Kerala pays tribute to Kavalam
Under his guidance, I started rehearsing for his drama. For me, it was a new experience and his style was very different from what I had learnt so far. The use of music, beats, dance and stylized dialogues were all new to me. However for two reasons, Kavalam attracted me. One, he was very balanced in his approach and had a knack for making friends with people who were younger and less experienced than himself. The second was his ease with the local ballads. Now, looking back, I feel it was the beats in his music that connected me to him so easily.
His dramas did not have curtains or background scenes. The music performers are visible to all and all of them were coordinated by Kavalam himself. Whether his drama received bouquets or brickbats, he would be there at the front as writer and director of the piece.
The drama that he directed with me in it was called 'Daivathar' and I had the role of 'Kaalamkaniyar,' a fastidious individual. The drama was to be played at Alappuzha SDV School and the audience was packed with names of repute such as G. Sankara Pillai, C.. Sreekantan Nair, Ayyappa Panikkar, Kadaminitta Ramakrishnan and so on. When the drama was over, everyone gave us a standing ovation and we were congratulated by many who came to the greenroom with lots of appreciation. When all left, only one person remained - Sreekantan Nair. He said, "I, Sankara Pillai and Kavalam had been searching for a unique drama style of Kerala, only Kavalam found it."
Also check: Dramatist, poet Kavalam Narayana Panicker passes away
After making my appearance in cinema, I had played a senior role in Padmarajan's 'Oridathoru Filevan." Padmarajan told me that he had selected me for the role because he had seen my performance in 'Daivathar' in which I donned the role of an aged person.
When I slowly started drifting away from drama, Kavalam kept up the same rapport with me and whenever he saw me, he used to smile and behave the way he used to when we first met.
Kavalam was a man who struck gold in all his ventures. His experiments in dramatization would remain a veritable storehouse for others to refer. All that he has left behind would part of our tradition. Perhaps there is none else who could combine Kerala's unique art into mainstream art.
While those outside Kerala accepted and cherished his art, we lagged behind in accepting him and his contributions. He has, however, left behind a few trained youngsters who can ably carry on with his legacy. He would live through them, for years to come.
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Theatre doyen Kavalam Narayana Panicker, who successfully blended the classical tradition and folk elements in the format of contemporary theatre, passed away at his home in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Photo: Manorama
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Narayana Panicker, popularly known as Kavalam, was a well-established poet, lyricist and theatre director. Photo: Manorama
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O. Rajagopal (L), Kavalam Narayana Panicker (C) and Mata Amritanandamayi at a book launch. Photo: Manorama
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A group photo taken during a reception for Sahitya Akademi award winner held at Malayala Manorama office, Kottayam, in 1969. (Front row, from left) Punathil Kunhabdullah, Perumbadavam Sreedharan, ONV Kurup, chief editor K.M. Mathew, V.P. Mohammed, K.M. Tharakan. (Back row) Toms, Uroob (PC Kuttikrishnan), Mammen Varghese and Kavalam Narayana Panicker. Photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker and Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai at a function. Photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker receiving state award. Photo: Manorama
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An old image of Kavalam Narayana Panicker. Photo: Manorama
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An old image of Kavalam Narayana Panicker (L) with Congress leader A.K. Antony. Photo: Manorama
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Actor Mohanlal in his 'Karna' attire hugs Kavalam Narayana Panicker after his performance in 'Karnabharam', a drama directed by the veteran stage director and his theatre troupe Sopanam as part of the National School of Drama festival on March 27, 2000 in New Delhi. File photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker directs a drama. File photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker receives Padma Bhushan from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2007. Photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker with his friend and actor Nedumudi Venu. Photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker during an interview. File photo: Manorama
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An old picture of Kavalam Narayana Panicker with his son Kavalam Sreekumar. Photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker with his wife Saradamani. File photo: Manorama
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Kavalam Narayana Panicker at a function. Photo: Manorama
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Son of Kavalam Narayana Panicker, Kavalam Sreekumar (R), stands near his fathers' body at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Photo: Rinkuraj Mattancheriyil
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