Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty

Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty
Born September 19, 1926
Oachira, Kollam, Kerala, India
Died May 16, 2013
Oachira, Kerala, India
Religion Hindu
Spouse(s) Smt. Parukutti Amma
Awards 1999: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
2009: K J Yesudas Ganagandharva Sangeetham Swaralaya – Kairali puraskaram

Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty (19 September 1926 – 16 May 2013), popularly known as "Natyacharyan" Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty (and pet named “Sakalakala Vallabhan”), was a Kathakali actor, classical dancer, dance director, dramatist, stage actor, poet, novelist. Emerged as exponent in Kathakali and “Kerala Natanam”. He dedicated his life to enrich Kerala Natanam to a chief status to that of Mohiniyattam and Bharathanatyam, other items in classical dance. He was a follower of Communist Party of India and fought against Communal injustice during the decade 1950. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Early life

Sankarankutty was born as fifth progeny of Kandallur Parameswara Panicker and Kutti Amma in Oachira Village, Kollam, Kerala on 19 September 1926. While studying in standard four in Valiyakulangara Muslim Lower Primary School – now Government LPS Valiyakulangara – he vacated the school because of his earnest desire to learn Kathakali, opposing the interest of his father to make his son a Teacher. Before late Sankarankutty straight away went to meet Oachira Kottampally Eruppakkal Puthen veettil Kunju Sankara Panicker Karanavar, who is having a famous Kathakali yogam Kalari to teach Kathakali.

He was initiated in studying Kathakali by Kattanam Raman Pillai Assan in the structure of studying in the abode of the preceptor in the Kottampally Eruppakkal puthen veettil Kunju Sankara Panicker Karanavar Kathakali Yogam Kalari and his debut was conducted at Changankulangara Mahadevar temple at the age of Twelve.

Later he was trained in Kathakali by Pannisseri Nanu Pillai, Cheerazhi Raghavan Pillai Assan, Kdakottu Maheswaran Potti. Within a period of fifteen years he established the capability in Kathakali for acting with Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Guru Chenganoor Raman Pillai,kattanam Raman Pillai Assan, Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair, Mankompu Sivasankara Pillai, Mankulam Vishnu Namboothiri. His excellence in presenting female character roles of Lalitha in “Poothanamoksham” and in “Narakasura vadham”, “Syrandhri” in “Keechakavadham”, Damayanti in Nalacharitham are exemplary. He played Kathakali last in the “Vasavadata Nirvanam” story written by Dr. Velukutti Arayan.

Kerala Natanam

Oachira P.R. Sankarankutty was attracted by the Kerala Natanam style of classical dance developed by Guru Gopinath and went to Madras to meet him. Within a short period Guru Gopinath introduced Oachira Sankarakutty to S.S. Vasan director of Madras Gemini Studios.

Films

In 1947, Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty got opportunity to dance in the famous Tamil Film “Chandralekha” made in Madras Gemini Studios directed by S.S. Vasan which was released simultaneously in Tamil and in Hindi throughout India which was a great success. Further he appeared in some other Tamil Films “Mankamma Sapadham”.

Indian classical dance

In 1960, Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty joined the world famous Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre in Calcutta headed by Natyacharyan Uday Shankar and Amala Shankar. He presented Ballet throughout India together with Uday Shankar and his troupe for a period of two years. The back ground music of these dance programmes were performed by Pandit Ravi Shankar which increased the image of the programme and was appreciated by foreign countries. The fame and excellence of Indian classical dance were bought to the notice of the foreign countries only because of Uday Shankar.

Ballets and dance dramas

During 1970-’85 period, Oachira P.R. Sankarankutty directed so many Ballets and dance dramas in Kerala Natanam style such as “Krishnarjuneeyam”, “Malavika”, “Hiranyan”, “Bhadrakali Vijayam”, “Dhruvacharitham”, “Padmasura Mohini”, “Goureesankaram”, “Bhagavath Dooth”, “Manushyan Munnerunnu”., for Oachira Sree Maruthy Nrutha Kala Kshethram and other troupes and dedicated to Kairali. Established Keralanatana Kalakshehtrams at Chettikulangara – Mavelikara, Marathoorkulangara – Karunagappally, Ponkunnam – Kottayam, Prayar – Oachira and Alappuzha. Main disciples are film actress T. R. Omana and Baby Girija. This era helped Kerala Natanam for a new start.

To inspire and propagate Kerala Natanam, Oachira P.R. Sankarankutty introduced an eight gram golden emblem named “Keralanatana Sreesankara Puraskaram” in the State level competition of Kerala School Kalolsavam, among High School, Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary School students, for the top scorer of Kerala Natanam. The Puraskaram was presented to the winner by the Chief Guest of the closing ceremony of the function. Guru Gopinath developed Kerala Natanam in 1932 and Kerala Government declared Kerala Natanam as an item for competition for Kerala school youth festival in the year 1999. The Puraskaram was awarded for five consecutive years starting with the 2005-2006 academic year, with the permission of the Government of Kerala.

Politics

In the decade 1950, while communist party of India waves are in progress in Travancore, Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty utilised art and cultural platform to fight against communal injustice on stage, and suffered severe harassments in life. He wrote many malayalam dramas, dance dramas and poems, and Staged and propagated progressive idea among the human public. Puthuppalli Raghavan, Thoppil Bhasi, Sankara Narayanan Thampi, Thengamam Balakrishnan were among the co-activists.

Changankulangara is a place where communist party of India has strong root, right from the beginning even though the party was facing prohibition. To overcome this obstacle Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty and friends there formed a library and reading room named “Chalanam Vayanasala” in 1946 as a shield for activities. R. S. Varrier, Kadakkal Meenathel Madhava Swamy, Thayyil Divakaran, Ramakrishnan Achary, Sukumaran Nair, Haridasan, Mannantayyathu Sreedharan. were included in the team work. In 1955 “Chalanam Vayanasala” was renamed as Aikya Kerala Grandhasala & Vayanasala and was inaugurated by Vallathol Narayana Menon, in a meeting held in front of Valiyakulangara Devi Temple.

Oachira P.R. Sankarankutty wrote dramas “Aikya Munnani” in 1950, “Manushyatvam” in 1951, “Manushyan Munnerunnu” – dance drama in 1952, “Aabhijathya Vishapampu” – Poem in 1955. He directed and acted in main character roles and fought against communal injustice like feudalism, disparity in casts, high-low position differences in human being., and supported and propagated progressive idea of communism which helped the development of Community Party of India. Drama played an important role in developing the social status of the public in Kerala. KPAC(Kerala People’s Arts Club), Kayamkulam is a theoretical movement in Kerala formed in the 1950s.Thoppil Bhasi(1924-1992)made valuable contribution to KPAC for its till date achievements. His drama, “Ningalenne communistakki” first staged in 1952 was a path breaking play in history of Malayalam theatre .Natyacharyan Oachira P.R Sankaran kutty first staged his dance drama “manushyan munnerunnu” in 1952 in the banner of Ponkunnam Arya Kala Nilayam” Presenting dancers as red volunteers on stage, holding “arival and chuttika” and shouting agitational slogan against communal injustice, amazing the audience in the strict sense. Presentation of such a theme on stage was first time in those days. All these are unforgettable events of that era which are recorded in history.

Attukal Ambaprasadam

Oachira P.R. Sankarankutty wrote hymns, praising Goddess Thiruvananthapuram Attukal Bhagavathy and published in nine issues of “Attukal Ambaprasadam” monthly in the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Attukal Temple Ponkala special and in 2012. In the year 1983 wrote hymns praising the Almighty Oachira Parabrahma moorthy, Changankulangara Mahadevar and Valiyakulangara Goddesses Durga Bhagavathy and Bhadrakali, prepared audio cassettes and distributed among the devotees. His intimate companion, Gandhiyan and Sarvodaya leader Oachira N. S. Panicker and Kulathoor Sukumaran Bhagavathar took initiative for this function and sung by Kodampalli Gopi & family. In 2003 he published his first novel “Sarpasathram” convincing human being the evils of consuming liquor and such other intoxicating substance which is an asset to “Kerala Madhyanirodhana Samathy” said Samathy State President Eyyacherry Kunjikrishnan Master in a message. His other works were Vijayan – dramatic poems, Arpanam – poems, Kathakali – Annum Ennum – Essay.

Changankulangara a place in Oachira Grama Panchayat is proud of its strong Kathakali heritage. There was a glorious time for Kathakali here. When “Kelikottu” was conducted in an evening, to announce a Kathakali performance is going to be held, enough Kathakali artists were available there and within hours Kathakali can be started. Demised “Kathakali Acharyanmar” Changankulangara Cheerazhi Raghavan Pillai Assan, Kottakkattu Vadakkathil Raman Pillai Assan (later Kattanam Raman Pillai Assan), his brothers Sankara Pillai Assan, Raghavan Pillai Assan and Chellappan Pillai Assan, Unnikrishna Pillai, Cheerazhi thekkathil Sreedharan Pillai, Natyacharyan Oachira P. R. Sankarankutty and Kottampally Eruppakkal puthen veettil Kunju Sankara Panicker Kathakali Kalari teaching Kathakali in Gurukulam style and a Kathakali yogam from there “Aattapetti” weighing about 40 Kilogram containing, Kathakali garments, ornaments and “Kireedam”. was transporting on head to a distant Kathakali location was a regular seen. They enriched Kathakali and vanished behind curtain dedicating Changankulangara Kathakali heritage to the nation.

Awards and Achievements

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy honoured Oachira Sankarankutty in 1999 by giving State award for classical dance for his lifetime achievement for enriching Kerala Natanam, to bring it in a chief status to that of other items in classical dance like mohiniyattam and Bharathanatyam. Kerala Government declared Keralanatanam as an item for competition in Kerala School youth festival in the same year 1999 to a status equivalent to Mohiniyattam and Bharathanatyam. He was honoured with “K. J. Yesudas Ganagandharva Sangeetham Swaralaya – Kairali puraskaram 2009”, Cheriazheekkal Samskrithi “Acharya Vandanam puraskaram 2011”, Kaladarpanam Art and Cultural Movement of India (ACMI), Kalakula Shreshta puraskaran 2006, Oachira Parabrahma puraskaram, Oachira Velukutty Kalakendram puraskaram, Oachira CASO puraskaram, Valiyakulangara Pournami Arts puraskaram, Karunagappally Kalakendram Academy of Arts puraskaram, Velukutty Arayan puraskaram and Kerala Sahithya Academy appreciation letter and cash prize for his meritorious work to enrich Malayalam language and literature in 1979. Oachira P.R. Sankarankutty was crowned with the following recognition. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy governing body Member from 2004, Kaladarpanam Art and Cultural movement of India (ACMI) Kollam district patron, Oachira Velukutty Kalakendram patron, Karunagappally Kalakendram Academy of Arts advisory board member, Changankulangara S.R.V.U. P. School P.T.A. president for 7 years.

Personal life

Natyacharyan Oachira Sankarankutty died in the evening of 16 May 2013. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy expressed deep grievance in his demise. Academy Secretary Dr. P. V. Krishnan Nair in a condolence message informed that Natyacharyan Oachira Sankarankutty was an artist of extra ordinary individualism who cultivated different zones and variety of art forms and his demise is great loss to “Samskarika Keralam”.

Honourable Kerala Legislative Assembly speaker G. Karthikeyan, for Government of Kerala, Cultural Minister Sri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, C.P.M. Polit Bureau member M.A. Baby. MLA, C. Divakaran MLA, Kovur Kunjumon M.L.A, C.P. I. Kollam district Secretary R. Ramachandran, Oachria Block Panchayath President B. Seventhi Kumari, Oachira Panchayat President Sreelatha Prakash, C.P.I. (M) Sooranad area committee Secretary N. Sivasankara Pillai, P. R. Vasanthan, P.B. Sathyadevan, N.S.S. Karunagappally Taluk Union President Adv. N. V. Ayyappan Pillai, Ambattu Asokan, Adv. Gopalakrishna Pillai, Dr. R. Minikumari, Dr. K. Reghu,film director Adv. Anil v Nagendran, D. Chidambaran, Kaladarpanam Raveendranath, Kalamandalam Malini. S. Nair, Oachira B D O Abdul Salam, Kollam District Poverty Eradication Project Director B. Johnson, Dr. Cheravalli Sasi, Raja Sreekumara Varma, Manappally Unnikrishnan, T.N. Thodiyoor, P.B. Rajan Pillai, Prabhakaran Vallikkavu, Adinadu Thulasi, Jayachandran Thodiyoor, Ponal Nandakumar, Prof. Prayar Radhakrishna Kurup, Vavvakkavu Somarajan, karunagappally krishnankutty,Thayambaka Vidwan Kandallur Sadasivan, Kerala Madhya Nirodhana Samathy State President Eyyacherry Kunjikrishnan Master, Kollam District Secretary Radhakrishnan Perumpalathu, T.J.Unnikrishnan Oachira,Anil Punthala and K. Appukuttan Pillai, Kerala Vayojanavedi Kollam District Secretary paid homage to the “Sakalakala Vallabhan”.

The body of Natyacharyan Oachira Sankarankutty was cremated at Parameswara Mandiram home premise Valiyakulangara at 3.p.m. on 17 May 2013 witnessing the world of admirers. End of an era of art and culture in kerala said in the condolence message issued by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy.

Wife: Parukutti Amma Son : Sancharsree Chandramohanan Daughter in law:P.Sukumari Amma

Press & Publications

See also

References

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  1. ↑ "Hindu News - Akademi Council Reconstituted 2004".
  2. ↑ "Mathrubhumi News".
  3. ↑ "Madhyamam News".
  4. ↑ "Press Releases".