Pavizha Kodi
Preface
This is a fictionalised story of a travelling drama troupe performing in a village in British Malabar . Most people of the present generation may not know of that these entertainment existed and gave much joy to the villagers and had high artistic talent. When the monsoon were over, paddy sown and reaped , the fields, lying dry and fallow, provided the venue. The hurricane lamps and dark interiors of their houses would be replaced by a nights entertainment at the tents. With bright petromax lights to brighten up the tent , they were taken to a new world in the dramas performed . They had wide choice from mythological stories to romance and comedy.
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The summer of 1932 was hot and uncomfortable in Pullancheri. Monsoon were good , the rice yield was good but there was no takers for the paddy because of the depression.Life was difficult and it was not possible to get jobs even in cities. Storing the unsold paddy was becoming a problem. Krishnan Iyer and his wife were thankful that there was enough to eat. Iyer was very successful vakil representing moplahs in their disputes. He was making enough money but around him he saw poverty. He tried to help by poor feeding. He looked after a large family his children and unemployed nephews. He was hoping that circus troupe or the drama troupe would turn up early so that the entertainment took people’s mind of miseries. Iyer was one of the leaders of the village community who along with a few others took interest in village activities.
News filtered through that the Narada Nataka Sabha had finished their engagement in a neighboring village and were on their away. Sure enough the weekly shuttle bus from the town brought the advance group of drummer boys and singers . They paraded the village lanes informing the villagers that in a few days the tent would be up and the show will start.The Sabha’s owner, Pandurangan, was himself an actor and singer of no mean ability. He took over the group when the previous owner was old. He had made it into a lively and popular drama group in that part of Malabar. The kingpins in the group were Swapna Sundari,a stunningly beautiful actress with great talent, singer of no mean talent who acted as the heroine, Satyan- who acted as a hero, a good actor and singer.Sathyan was madly in love with Sapna, who spurned him.Swapna was a tough nut to crack. This was telling on Satyan,who consoled him by by a few tots of toddy. Pandurangan was aware of the slow deterioration of Satyan and was worried.. The last of the main actors was Narada Muni as he called himself and who acted the part of Naradar the troublemaker in mythological dramas. There was host of other actors, some very good and very good standbys in emergencies. Then there were host of support groups who maintained and looked after the practical aspects of the tent, transport food etc. There were a compact group of about thirty people, who worked as a team.Wherever they went they rented two or three houses and stayed together. Unlike a circus group there was attrition and replacement especially among the top actors who were poached by other groups. The depression had a good effect on actors leaving as opportunities were fewer. During the monsoon season the troupe went to local towns to perform as they could get covered accommodation. This was the season in the towns.
The Pullancheri village elders gave all help to Pandurangan as his group was only group coming this year ,the circus group having dropped Pullancheri this year. Krishna Iyer decided to depute one of his family to be with the dance group during their stay and help. He choose his eldest nephew Bharatan. He was no good in his studies but had good interpersonal skills,was musical, interested in drama.He also picked up some rudiments of medicines when working with a doctor.He was also into ayurvedic medicines.Bharatan’s got his chance to ingratiate with Pandurangan soon. Pandurangan was laid down with cold and high fever just a few days before the start of the first performance. the doctor’s medicines did not help and he consulted Krishna Iyer.
‘ Look why don’t see my nephew Bharatan..Some people say he is very good. I have no personal experience. But his medicines cannot do any harm.I will speak to him’.
Bharatan turned up in Padurang’s room,examined him with a stethoscope.
‘Lung congestion Sir. I will mix and bring a bottle of special mixture. One dose now and one befor going to bed and you will o.k tomorrow Sir.’-Bharatan
He came back in an hour.
‘Sir sit down. This is a strong dose to get you well soon. You will feel funny but don’t worry. Lie down for some time’- Bharatan.
After the dose,Pandurangan felt an explosion in his head and profuse sweating. He went off to sleep. At night Bharatan gave him another dose inspite of objections. Pandurangan got up next morning his head clear,no headache, and on top of the world for the first time in many days. He offered the job of a paid doctor for the group during their stay in Pullancheri. Bharatan declined with thanks but requested that he be allowed to be with them during their stay, watching their rehearsals and to learn a few songs . So Bharatan spend all his time with the troupe,learning songs acting as second fiddle to them in their rehearsals. It was not long before he got smitten by Swapna.
Like a touring circus group they were a very close knit group but of course with pecking orders. Pandurangan was at the top followed by Swapna,Satyan and Narada Muni. Pandurangan had a strategy for each village to attract the maximum patronage. In case of Pullancheri he decided to start off with minor plays, harikatha kalakshepam by Narada Muni, a short appearance by Swapna and Satyan in a brief skit, to build up gradually to the magnus opus of the season- a full length drama featuring the top three. Of course Swapna was the top attraction and crowd drawer. Her singing , beauty and acting, the romantic scenes with Sathyan had the audience enthralled.
All this planning is o.k. and visiting the nearby Bhagavathi temple to propitiate the goddess is o.k. But sometime fate has the last say. Swapna fell sick with cold and fever a few days before her appearance. Pandurangan was at his wits end when he suddenly remembered Bharatan and his magic cure. After having a word with Swapna Pandurangan sent for Bharatan. He took Bharatan to Swapna’s room. Bharatan put down his big medical box and took his stethoscope to examine Swapna’s chest. Swapna would have nothing of anyone touching her.
Pandurangan-’Bharatan the lady is shy and does not like a male doctor touching her. Can’t you just give the medicine you gave me?.’
Bharatan-’ Sir each medicine is tailor made to the condition of the patient. This can only been done after I examine her chest with my instrument.She has to remove the clothes from her chest.’
Swapna was up in arms. Pandurang explained how he was cured in one night and she must allow the doctor to examine her properly. Finally a compromise was reached. Bharatan would be blind folded before examination and led to the patient by a girl. The examination took place amidst constant complaints by Swapna and moment of shocked silence and drawing of deep breaths. Bharatan made an extensive examination in the course of which he managed to place his hands on Swapna’ chest. The shocked Swapna drew more heavy breaths at this unwanted intrusion but was overcome by the extraordinary pleasure she has never before experienced.
Bharatan went outside ,made a big show of consulting a book, mixed drops from various colored bottles to make a concoction and told Pandurangan to ask her to take half at once and the other half at night and to call him if there was any problem. Swapna should be alright by the next day but should take it easy for two days.Sure enough Swapna was on top of the world the next day,chafing at the enforced rest. Something else was making very chirpy. She was missing out on something- she just could not figure out. The world seemed to be suddenly as joyous happy place and why did she not have this feeling before. Bharatan suddenly looked like a god in human form. Much as she wished for a repeat examination by him he just took her pulse and temperature and said she was getting well. Broad hints of chest examination to confirm it was ignored by Bharathan. He had a feeling that the fish has bit the bait and thought it prudent to wait his time.
Bharatan reputation had gone up and Pandurangan wanted to do something for him for saving a disaster. When asked Bharatan requested that he be given minor parts to act and to learn singing with Narada Muni. Narada Muni confirmed that the was good and had talents and would be a welcome help. Pandurangan informed Krishna Iyer and asked for his views. Krishnan Nair was at first taken back but his wife told him that the boy was no good for anything and the sooner he was off their hands the better it was for them.
Attrition was always a problem with drama groups and the owners were always in the look out for new hands. Pandurangan was getting worried about Satyan and his excessive drinking and felt he would not last long. He now concentrated on the year’s Pullancheri season. Pandurangan made it a point to attend all performances so that he could have an eye on the performers and the audience response. The major performance for each day was decided by him. He attended all rehearsals. He allowed the stage manager to choose the fill ins and these changed daily. One night he was sitting at the back and watching and after some time started to doze. He suddenly woke up and was all attention on the fill in duet between two singers. This was fantastic with a new performer giving a star performance which made the audience clapping and asking more. It suddenly dawned on him that the star was Bharatan. It was a matter of a few days for Pandurangan to give minor parts to Bharatan and tomtom the local talent. Full house was the order of the day whenever Bharathan was on. Bharatan also made a member of the inner council which decided the programme and modified local plays to suit local audiences. Pandurangan satisfied that the initial hicks were over bagan to spend more time on planning for the major shows ahead. This year he decided to end the season with Pavizha Kodi a perennial favourite with aufence. Some variations of old myth of the love story of Alli and Arjuna was needed to spike the drama.
The think tank, as we would now call it, sat down one day to discuss. Pavizha Kodi is fictionalised story of Alli Rani and Arjuna. At that time it was the most popular story which had caught the public’s imagination. The dramatic group’s popularity and stature was judged by its production of Pavizha Kodi. So innovations and fine tuning went on all the time. What you saw this year was subtly different from last year. The heroine who acted as Alli was the kingpin and had to be a first rate actress.The story of Alli Rani ,an indian Amazonian beauty, who could not stand the sight of males ruled an island with the help of women. This south Indian Myth was introduced into a side story of Mahabharata with Arjuna coming to her kingdom and after many trials and tribulations marries Alli and adds her to his many wives. In a male dominant Society this story had many admirers and drama made it very vibrant. This year Pandurangan worried about Satyan who was off colour and was drinking too much toddy. Swapna did not care for Satyan and made it very obvious .This made her acting as Alli very natural. During the discussion Bharatan came up with variation of the story. He suggested that Alli Rani should be the queen of a pearl Island off the coast.Arjuna travelling in boat to this Island would look very grand. Satyan immediately said it was nonsense. Alli was all in favour .This made Satyan very angry and he walked out.
The next morning brought bad news.Satyan was drunk and vomiting.Fortunately there was the weekly bus to Kozhikode was due in Manjeri in a few hours and Satyan was put on the bus with an escort to be taken to hospital. That was the last they heard of Satyan. After treatment for a few days he disappeared. Pandurangan was shell shocked wondering how replace Satyan in their Magnum Opus show. Fortunately for him Narada Muni took matters in hand. After getting Swapna’s consent he trained Bharatan to act as Arjuna. Bharatan was very happy and gave his best , composing new songs. The Stage manger prepared new sets for the island scenes. The rehearsals went on full swing. Pandurangan ,when he got a hold of himself, and called for a meeting was surprised and overwhelmed at what had been done to overcome the crisis. When he finally saw a rehearsal he was astounded and knew he had a great hit on his hand. He thanked the trio who worked it out and expressed his admiration for what they had achieved. The news was spread through the village and the neighborhood by drum beats and marches. Pullancheri was electrified by the news of one of their sons leading the cast in the prestigious show. Krishna Iyer and his wife were happy to see off their nephew in his new career.
Finally on a balmy cool night the play was pereformed to a packed ,cheering audience. Now that slimy Satyan was gone ,Alli decided to give the performance of her life as Alli Rani. Her annoyance with Bharatan for his ignoring her after her treatment inspite of broad hints helped her to work up her fury. The start was streotyped till Arjuna took a boat to reach the island wher the famed Alli lived. The boat swinging in the water (recreated by ropes pulling on the sides) really made Arjuna sea sick. Added by rain (buckets of warer poured on him) made him stumble on shore with his famous bow and arrows a dripping mess and he was set upon by the female slodiers, bound and was taken to Alli Rani.
Alli Rani-’ So you are the famous Arjuna. What a mess you look. You thought you could conquer me and my people? Anything to say?’
All Arjuna could mange in his condition was a sneeze. He was bundled off to a cave with guards to guard him. Arjuna seduced the guards and by the morning had recovered thanks to their minstrations. They gave him special fruits,nuts and cereal from the island which instantly perked him up. His bow was repaired with a special thread and specisl arrows with poisonheads were procured. The guards however refuse to take him to Alli Rani till she sent for him. Arjuna went round the island which was littered with perals and had the most exotic vegetation. The unique feature was there were no males in the Island and the whole was manged by women. The guards enjoyed Arjuna who kept them very happy that they had almost forgotten their queen when the summons came a gfew days later. The stage managers had made such a grand job that the island scenes drew applause from the audience.
Arjuna was tied up and marched to the queens house. At the first sight Alli was surprised at the transformation of a raindrenched sneezing sailor into a majestic figure whose moutache tapered to a needle like point. Arjuna broke into impromto song .This was not in the script and Pandurangan and Narada Muni watching from the back put their hands on their heads muttering ‘Oh No’ and held their breaths at the disaster looming ahead.Alli was also shocked and stunned.. “Manmadhaleelai kanbal undo intha ulagathil” -sang Arjuna gesturting at Alli.( Do you ever see such a beauty in this world.). Alli recovered the ground by getting furious , more so at her seeing her subjects smiling and enjoying the it. It suddenly dawned on her that the guards had been seduced by Arjuna and in a fury threw a bundle of snakes at him. Arjuna’s arrows took care of that. Alli got her personal guards to tie him up and take to room in the house where she could eye on him. Padurangan and Narada Muni had another shock when Arjuna broke into another imrpromto song “ Alliai pol uru shantaswaroopani kanbathundo”. ( Do you see such a peaceloving person like Alli). He brought the house down and Padurangan and Narada Muni held hands with broad smile. The knew they had made it. Even Alli could not avoid a whisper of a smile which she coverd with a frown. She knew that she was loosing grip. On a personal level she thought Bhsaratan was hooked at last and she was over joyed. Arjuna was happy that events were going better than expected both from a professional and personal level. The fish had swallowed the hook.
The audience was in raptures and the scenes moved on in a majestic procession. The scene where Alli Rani fianlly succubs to Arjuna’s charm drew the most applause (even from the matriarchal Nair ladies present) was when Arjuna breaks into another of his off script songs.”Aval mahimai yarukku thaan therium, Alliun mahimai yarukkan theryum”.(who knows her charm and greatness). Alli swooons into his arms with the curtains coming down. The last scene showed Arjuna bidding goodbye to a distraught Alli carrying a boy. Arjunas steps into the boat and sails away . Shouts of Encore and Bharatan sang the songs again and came down from the stage and bowed and thanked his incle and aunt.
News spread of this new Pavizhakodi production of Narada Nataka Sabha. Padurangan was asked to perform Kozhikode in the august presence of the Zamorin. The show was a great success and awakend the old dormant memories of the maritine greatnessof Kozhikode in the Zamorin’s mind. He invited Padurangan and his group to settle in Kozikode.
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Very many thanks to my neice Raji and her friend who gave the link to the article on Alli Rani. Those of you who are interested in social history will enjoy reading this. The story of the dance group is based on facts but it fictionalised. These travelling dance groups later settled in towns and cities They were percusors of our present day drama and cinema.
Raja Ramakrishnan
20th october 2014
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This is my new favourite, Appa, really enjoyed reading this. The chest exam scene is hilarious - reminded me of something similar in Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children.
Posted by: Kamini | October 20, 2014 at 04:17 PM
Dear Raja,
Obviously Swapna did not make a clean breast of her intentions to Bharatan.
Cheers,
Ness.
Posted by: Ness Pesikaka | October 21, 2014 at 05:22 AM
Ness, your comments are priceless!
Posted by: Kamini | October 21, 2014 at 06:44 AM
Ness
Great comment as usual.I did not use the B word in the story as a concession to my better half.She feels that my choice of subjects could be more austere.
Posted by: Raja Ramakrishnan | October 21, 2014 at 08:13 AM