| C.G. Narayanan Namboothiri, the Kathakali artist talks to Sreeni K.R about his passion and experience in the field. He is now working in CPCRI, Kasargode and was selected as member of The National Council of Culture, Govt. of Venezuela in September 2005 to participate in the First Worldwide Encounter of Body Arts held at Caracas and again In September 2006, when he was again invited by the Ministry of Culture (IMAGE), Govt. of Venezuela to impart training in Kathkali. 1. When did you start taking Kathakali seriously?
When I was a school student first my passion was mono act and then Drama. Slowly I joined to study Kathakali with my friend Pookkanni Krishnan when I was in 8th std. From that moment onwards I took it very seriously. My teacher was my father- Late.Sri.Chandramana(Darpana) Govindan Namboothiri. After that for a few months I had training from Sri.Kalamandalam (Kottayam) Ramakrishnan.
2.Does your education level in MSc and Ph.D. in Applied Botany help you to learn Kathakali?
My college education and Ph.D. are entirely different and there was no advantage in the field of Kathakali but I would like to add that the happiness I was getting while performing Kathakali gave me a pleasant mood to study my college lessons well and I scored 3rd rank in MSc.Botany Examination from Kerala University in 1994.Of course the education helped me later when I made my visits to Venezuela. 3.When was your first major performance and which character did you portray?
My first performance was near my house and I played the role of Krishnan (Purappadu). 4. What is the origin of Kathakali?
The origin of kathakali, story-dance is the dance-drama, which is now culturally known as Kerala’s soul. Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas. Most of the themes are from Indian Mythology. 5.You have learned Kathakali under Chandramana Govindan Namboothiri and Kalamandalam Ramakrishnan during your college days? What was your experience? . As already told, Govindan Namboothiri is my father. I have studied every thing along with my education. Regarding experiences, with my father, the class was in the early morning hours. But when it was with Ramakrishnan Ashan, usually I practiced in the evening hours without affecting my education. Regarding their capabilities, I am very fortunate to have these gurus. ·
6. When you were selected for The National Council of Culture, Govt. of Venezuela in September 2005 to participate in the First Worldwide Encounter of Body Arts held at Caracas and again In September 2006, and also when you were again invited by the Ministry of Culture (IMAGE), Govt. of Venezuela for Kathakali performance, what was your experience? Please explain.
That was from a selection by the Venezuela Cultural department. First they gave the opportunity to only 3 persons and we went and took classes on Kathakali with the help of CDs and Power Point presentations. Then they realised the importance of the art form and invited a second time in 2006 and we 8 persons from Kerala (Kalamandalam Ramakrishnan, Pookkanni Krishnan, Kalanilayam Rajeevan, Kalanilayam Babu, Kalabharathy Murali, Kalamandalam Achutha Warrier, Thripunithura Manoj) were the members in the team. We presented many shows at Caracas and nearby towns. The experience was wonderful and we got an opportunity to study body arts, body, language etc. In turn, they were also benefited from kathakali make up and performance and totally both the trips were a great success. 7. Tell us about your family and your present projects at hand?
My wife is Seema (studied Carnatic music), son Krishnandas (started kathakali lessons under kalamandalam Krishnaprasad) and daughter Krishnapriya. I am working in the government sector and I am not getting enough time for Kathakali .So presently I have not undertaken any new project.
8. Where do you place Kathakali in the modern days? Are you satisfied with the level of audience and critics? According to me, now the condition of kathakali actors is far better than in the olden days. My father had to face a lot of difficulties in his times. Now days, lot of changes are happening in Kathakali style and performance, but even though it is negatively affecting the quality of the art form, it is however needed for its survival. | 
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