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Sarojini Nangiar: A Doyen taking Forward a Rich Tradition

Sarojini Nangiar, one of the senior-most practising Nangiars in today’s world has recently been bestowed with the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi award for 2015 for her contribution to Indian theatre as a Kutiyattam artist. She scripted history by being the first Nangiar to receive this national honour. A purist with a strict adherence to tradition, this veteran performs with elan even at the age of 77.

Born in Edanad Nambiar Madhom, Chowara, near Aluva, and hailing from a traditional community of Kutiyattam performers, Sarojini Nangiar's tutelage was under her mother Ammukutty Nangiaramma.

Nangiarkoothu is the traditional name of the koothu performance of a female member (Nangiar) of the Chakkiar community. A spinoff of the age-old Sanskrit theatre of Kutiyattam, Nangiarkoothu is presented in the traditional temple theatre-the Koothambalam or Koothupura. This is a solo dance drama mainly centered on the legends of Lord Krishna. Verses are sung and interpreted through mime and dance.

Sarojini Nangiar who had her debut performance at the age of 10 at Edanad Bhagavathy Temple has been associated with ritual performances at temples for the past many decades. This doyen has been staging Nangiarkoothu without a break for the past several years at the Tripunithura Poornathrayeesha Temple.

One who keeps to tradition, she performs only in temples. Her dedication has helped her in establishing herself as a leading performer of Kutiyattam.

Sarojini Nangiaramma has also performed with legends like Painkulam Rama Chakyar, Mani Madhava Chakyar and Ammannur Madhava Chakyar. Her sons Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambiar and Edanad Ramachandran Nambiar are mizhavu artistes.