Kathanar to grace pooram

Kalanilayam’s Kadamattathu Kathanar, with its breathtaking spectacles on the stage, is all set to double the Thrissur Pooram frenzy. Special midnight shows of the play will be staged on the eve of pooram and on the main pooram day at the cultural capital.

The renewed version of Kathanar, well-known for its special effects on stage, has been enthralling Thrissurites at the specially set up stage with 3D settings spread over 7,000 sq. ft. at the ground in Sakthan Thampuran Bus Stand since April 15. The curtains will fall on the show in Thrissur on May 15.

The play, which was first staged in Thrissur in 1967, was performed continuously for 47 years, a record in the professional Indian theatre scenario. The play that focuses on the miracles performed by the kathanar (priest) of the Kadamattathu Church was originally penned by Jagathy N. K. Achary, the father of actor Jagathy Sreekumar, and directed by Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair. It was first performed on a theatre set up at Thekkinkkad Maidan in Thrissur. The renewed version of the play is directed by Ananthapadmanabhan, son of Krishnan Nair. Head of the Assyrian Church of the East in India Metropolitan Mar Aprem had made the official announcement of the re-staging of the play in Thrissur in June last year. The play has incorporated state-of-the-art digital stage techniques that add to the element of horror, suspense and illusion on the stage.

“We have received warm welcome in the cultural capital. The response from the spectators here was very motivating. We are planning Thodupuzha as our next location and most probably by mid-June, the public in Thodupuzha and Idukki will get the opportunity to experience the Kathanar magic,” Ananthapadmanabhan says.    

The last version of Kathanar was staged in 2012 in Kannur. In the new version, the childhood along with young age of the kathanar is depicted. The updated version of the play also takes to the stage on how he happened to learn the ways to control supernatural powers and elements of magic. “These sequences are presented with technical wonders on stage with the ambience and the scenes changing within a wink of the eye,” the director says.

In the play, the kathanar is undergoing a transformation towards the end by doing away with his company with supernatural powers and taking the path of the faith and Jesus Christ, he adds. Ananthapadmanabhan has entrusted the air direction, which has always been the back bone of the play, with artist Vijayan Kadamberi.

All the advancements in the stage techniques that create and alter the forest, dilapidated buildings of witchcraft practices and horror-filled ambiences in a matter of seconds have been incorporated in the new version, which is made at a cost of more than Rs 1 crore.     

As many as 150 artistes are part of Kadamattathu Kathanar.