Theatre -CHANDAN SARMAH
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| Artistes from Kerala in a scene from Karnabharam. Picture by Eastern Projections |
There could not have been a better way to end a theatre festival that began with a stunning splash by Ratan Thiyam than a startling piece de resistance by the legendary Kovalam Narayana Panikkar.
On the concluding day of Natya Mela — the North East Theatre Festival — on March 5, Thiruvananthapuram troupe Sopanam, under the direction of Panikkar, staged a Sanskrit classic narrating three events from the Mahabharat that led to Karna’s downfall.
Karnabharam, based on Mahakavi Bhasa, was a spellbinding one-and-a-half hours of magnificent theatre — the kind that Guwahatians have not experienced in at least a decade.
With the Kurukshetra battlefield as the backdrop, Karna recounts the three most defining moments of his life to charioteer Shalyar.
The first was when Kunti revealed to him his actual lineage with the Pandavas.
The son of Surya (the sun god) or an offspring of the unsung charioteer Adhiratha and his wife Radha — Karna faces an identity crisis.
The second one was guru Parashurama’s curse on Karna for “cheating” him — Karna had introduced himself as a Brahmin.
And the third one was when Indra, in the guise of a Brahmin, asked Karna for his protective armour and earrings, which he was born with as the son of Surya.
Famous for his benevolence, Karna willingly donated them to the Brahmin.
Impeccable performance coupled with innovative choreography and music helped pull off a remarkable show.
There was not a single prop on the stage. Only a long ramp helped create different zones.
The music, both vocal and instrumental, was played live on the left corner of the stage.
Gireessan, playing Karna, was unmatched.
The rest of the cast, though had very little to do, contributed well to deliver a flawless production.
