Kunjan Nambiar is a Malayalam poet who is the auteur of Thullal. The story of how this genius began his journey is remarkable in itself…
During a temple festival, Kunjan Nambiar accompanied Chaakiar Koothu who performed the traditional dance by right of heredity. Kunjan was on the copper drum (Mizhavu) when he committed an error. The Chaakiar gave him a public talking-to for dozing off. Next day Kunjan took the stage where the Chaakiar was performing. His daring itself drew attention. His unique attire ensured he kept it. Then Kunjan began his own performance, an alternative take on the traditional Chaakiar dance and song. Kunjan performed Kalyanasougandhikam from the epic Mahabharat.
It is the story of Bhim’s search for the Soughandika flower for Draupadi, who is enamoured by its fragrance when they are exiled in the forest. Bhim proceeds to fetch it for he. On his way he finds an old monkey blocking his path. After requests to move fail, Bhim tries to lift it aside, but is unable to even move its tail and his mace is trapped under it. Bhim realizes the monkey is a divine form & asks forgiveness for his presumptiousness. Hanuman reveals himself, blesses Bhim and tells him where to find Soughandika.
The audience could read between Kunjan’s lines and responded avidly, The Chaakiar was left speechles. The Chaakiar tried his best to halt Kunjan’s right to perform by getting the King of Ambalapuzha to ban Kunjan’s entry itself, but Kunjan’s satirical art found audiences everywhere.
The 10 thullals of Kunjan
live on till date. Through Thullal this poet sought to show the ills of society and it is but fitting that
this genius has a medicinal herb grove named after him - The Kunchan
Smritivanam at Cholanoor Peacock Sanctuary
3 forms of Thullal (which means dance) found a stage:
During a temple festival, Kunjan Nambiar accompanied Chaakiar Koothu who performed the traditional dance by right of heredity. Kunjan was on the copper drum (Mizhavu) when he committed an error. The Chaakiar gave him a public talking-to for dozing off. Next day Kunjan took the stage where the Chaakiar was performing. His daring itself drew attention. His unique attire ensured he kept it. Then Kunjan began his own performance, an alternative take on the traditional Chaakiar dance and song. Kunjan performed Kalyanasougandhikam from the epic Mahabharat.
It is the story of Bhim’s search for the Soughandika flower for Draupadi, who is enamoured by its fragrance when they are exiled in the forest. Bhim proceeds to fetch it for he. On his way he finds an old monkey blocking his path. After requests to move fail, Bhim tries to lift it aside, but is unable to even move its tail and his mace is trapped under it. Bhim realizes the monkey is a divine form & asks forgiveness for his presumptiousness. Hanuman reveals himself, blesses Bhim and tells him where to find Soughandika.
The audience could read between Kunjan’s lines and responded avidly, The Chaakiar was left speechles. The Chaakiar tried his best to halt Kunjan’s right to perform by getting the King of Ambalapuzha to ban Kunjan’s entry itself, but Kunjan’s satirical art found audiences everywhere.
3 forms of Thullal (which means dance) found a stage:
· Ottanthullal – High paced, fast tempo performance with a highly accentuated face as in Kathakali topped by a serpent crown
· Seethankanthullal – The meter and rhythm is slower than in Ottan and there’s a different costume and the crown has no symbol
· Parayanthullal – The dancer stays erect and relies on gesture and since there’s no dance the performance tempo is the slowest
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