Devoted to his craft
ABDUL LATHEEF NAHA
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Kottakkal Chandrasekharan has been the principal of P.S.V. Natyasangham since 1996.
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MASTER: Kottakkal Chandrasekharan
This week, Kottakkal was in a jubilant mood, as one of its Kathakali acharyas, P.V. Chandrasekhara Warrier celebrated his 60th birthday. Known as Kottakkal Chandrasekharan, Warrier has devoted his life to Kathakali. According to Warrier, he owed his glory to Kottakkal Aryavaidya Sala's Kathakali school, P.S.V. Natyasangham. He has been Natyasangham's Principal since 1996.
"What makes me happy is the growth of the Natyasangham, one of the top-notch institutions devoted to Kathakali," he said. He added modestly, "I could do at least this much for the promotion of Kathakali."
Hailing from Naduvattom, near Pattambi, Warrier's association with Natyasangham began when he joined as a student in 1959.
From student to principal
And his rise from student to acharya was gradual and steady. He made a name for himself as a performer too. There is hardly a character that Warrier has not portrayed. But his love for Pacha and Kathi characters is well-known. "I love to do the characters of Nalan, Arjuna, Bheema and Keechakan," says Warrier, describing his favourite roles.
One of Warrier's concerns is the lack of support for Kathakali. Although he agrees that Kathakali continues to be popular, he maintains that there has been a fall in the number of people learning Kathakali as it is an art form that requires a great deal of patience and years of learning.
According to him, there are hardly any opportunities for those who pass out from Kathakali schools, including Kalamandalam.
"Students won't come to Kathakali if they have to seek some other means to earn a living," he said, calling upon the Government to look into the matter.
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