Priya Nambudiri enacts the complex character of Parashurama in Seethaswayamvaram

Varma who still performs in Mumbai, says that she can see the tide changing. “More and more female dancers want to learn Kathakali despite the challenges,” adds Varma, who belongs to the Poonjar royal family. In a career spanning five decades, she has portrayed Pacha (green), Kathi (knife) veshams, and also donned the garb of Ravana, Duryodhana, Nala, Karna, Bheema, Kunti and Damayanti. 

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Mulund-based Priya Nambudiri has portrayed the most challenging and choreographically complex characters in Kathakali like that of Ravana in Ulbhavam and Narakasura in Narakasuravadham, and also Parashurama in Seethaswayamvaram. She has also enacted fiery characters like Dusshasana, Veerabhadra or Kattala with utmost ease. Nambudiri has won special acclaim for her portrayal of Kathi and Thaadi (beard) veshams. “Though I’ve been credited with portraying a variety of male roles in my 30-year dance career, I don’t have a valid certificate to prove my calibre. That is going to be the biggest advantage for the next generation of female students at Kerala Kalamandalam. They can earn a formal degree in the field of their choice. Moreover, learning privately under a teacher is always limited to once or twice a week; the rest is self-study. But if you are learning in an institution dedicated to the arts, you are living in it 24/7, and that definitely helps,” says Nambudiri, expressing disappointment that opportunities like these were rare when she started learning Kathakali.

As a child, Nambudiri was fascinated by colours. She told her parents she wanted to dress up as Krishna. “Vesham [outfit] was my first attraction. But when I started learning the intricate techniques of the dance form, I became more interested in Kathakali. Uncles and aunts would ask my parents, ‘why are you teaching her Kathakali?’ But today, the same people sit in the front row and cheer for me. Times have certainly changed. I am happy for the present generation, 
but I also envy them a little,” Nambudiri chuckles.

TK Narayanan, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Kalamandalam, told media persons that they had received requests from several quarters to give admission to girl students in the Kalamadalam. The institute will expose them to a diverse pool of teachers, who have huge exposure and deep knowledge of the subject.

Kalamandalam C Gopalakrishnan, who trains female Kathakali dancers in Mumbai, says, “Not just Kerala Kalamandalam, but everybody should follow suit and admit female students who want to pursue Kathakali. I am happy that this has finally become a reality for my students.”