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NOTTAM (The Gaze) BY SASI PARAVOOR
R.KIRAN
Malayalam film ‘Nottam’ by Sasi Paravoor is in a way a story of triumph of art over death. A high point in the film is the tragic death of Unni, the Vidushaka, played eminently by Jaagthy Sreekumar. Devastated by the death, the film’s protagonist Vasudeva Chakyar (Nedumudi Venu) proclaims in frustration that he would no longer be able to perform on stage. He is however consoled by his friend and co- artiste Saraswathy, played by noted Nangiarkoothu exponent Margi Sathi, that a great artiste like him should carry on with the art in spite of such tragedies.
Margi Sathi was in a way re-enacting her own life story in the film. She lost her husband and mentor, Subramaniam Potti, noted Edakka artiste, during a rehearsal for the shooting of the film. That was the time when everyone thought it was the end of the film and her career. But like a Phoenix coming out of its own ashes she came back to carry on with her art to fulfill the aspirations of her late husband.
‘Nottam’ is the first full length feature film based on Koodiyattam,the 2,000 year old Sanskrit drama tradition that has been recognised by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The film is is appropriately dedicated to Subramaniam Potti.
There are several similarities between Sathi’s life and the film. The tragedy happened while she was getting ready to portray ‘Thara,’ a puranic character in the story ‘Bali Vadham’ at the Koodiyattam Kendra, Trivandrum. It was only after sometime that she came to know that her husband got electrocuted while arranging the stage lights for the Koodiyattam ensemble. His death was indeed a shock to all.
The scene is repeated in the climax of the film when Bali, played by Vasudeva Chakyar, is downed by an arrow shot by Sreerama. Chakyar’s acting was so poignant and powerful that everyone on stage and in the audience thought that he had actually died. Even Saraswathy , one time fiancée of Chakyar, rushes to him sobbing. But, Chakyar, opens his eyes and gets up to receive a standing ovation.
“I am happy that I have kept the promise given to my late husband Subramaniam Potti through this film. I am sure that he would have been much happier had he been alive now. As he was the main motivation for me to make this film happen,’ Sathi said.
A novice in the film field, did she find any difficulty in enacting this role? “Koodiyattam is my life’s mission. But there is a lot of difference between what is enacted on stage and what is portrayed in the cinema.” And to do the role she got amble assistance and advice from all who had worked with her in the cinema.
Asked why he chose such a delicate and difficult subject, Sasi Paravoor said he dwelt into it when he felt that there should not be a situation where we often have to learn about our own culture from foreigners . “ Moreover, I wanted the theme of my second film to be different,” he said adding the film was the outcome of three years of intense research and effort.
Noted actor Nedumudi Venu who impeccably portrayed the role of Vasudeva Chakyar said that what he attempted in the film was only make believe as it would take several years of practice to do justice to such a role.
The film also has M R Gopakumar, Arun, Samvritha Sunil, Margi artistes and two debutantes, Ajir and Arathy.
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