Hamlet to come alive in chavittunatakam form

KOCHI: A group of artists from Gothuruth is all set to perform ‘chavittunatakam’ based on Shakespeare's Hamlet. This year also marks the Bard's 400th death anniversary. Filmmaker and theatre person Pramod Payyannur, who conceived the idea, is busy with the final rehearsal of drama, which will be performed in the second week of April at Ponnani. According to Pramod, the story of Hamlet is extremely relevant to the modern times and can easily be adapted to chavittunatakam.

The play has found a new theatrical version called 'Opereta'. "It is a rare blend of European Opera and classical chavittunatakam," said Pramod Payyannur. "Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play and is among the most powerful and influential tragedies in world literature."

Veteran chavittunatakam exponent Thampi Payyappilly said that Hamlet can easily be adapted to chavittunatakam form as it allows the use of songs and verses to effectively portray the scenes and moods.

More than 100 artists, including children, have been regularly attending the high-voltage rehearsal camp at Gothuruth for last three months. Meanwhile, mediaperson Mini Padma is making a documentary on the adaptation of Hamlet to chavittunatakam.