| Prof. Ambalappuzha Ramavarma |
|
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Though
foreigners may have their own yardsticks for appreciating Kerala’s
classical arts like Kathakali, a great many natives of the State have come
to appreciate the aesthetics of the art, thanks to the people-friendly
interface provided by Prof. Ambalappuzha Ramavarma through his
interpretation / critique / criticism / lecturers etc.
If
his birth in an orthodox family at Ambalappuzha had exposed him to the
temple arts right from a young age, the college education in the company
of literary giants like S.Guptan Nair and N.Krishnan Nair kindled his urge
to disseminate the knowledge he had gained to the earnest seekers.
Making
the debut of his 4-decade long teaching career, he joined C.M.S.College,
Kottayam in 1952 after completing his Master of Arts degree from
University College, Thiruvananthapuram.
In C.M.S. College he had the opportunity to present Kathakali for 9
consecutive years and lead the students and lovers of art to the essential
sweetness of the medium.
About
17 books on classical arts have been authored by him.
They include Kathakali criticisms, textbooks on classical arts,
interpretations of Swapna Vasavadattam, Kalyana Sougandhikam etc.
In addition to these, he has written hundreds of articles in
periodicals, thus leading to the popularization of these arts.
He
had a meritorious service as a member of the General Council of Kerala
Kalamandalam and a member of the advisory committee of the Publication
Division of Cultural Affairs Department. The art world of Kerala honoured
him with the 1993 M.K.K.Nair award for Kathakali.
Prof. Varma led Kerala Kalamandalam at the 1986 International Art
Festival held in Germany.
Once
known fondly as the
Ambalappuzha river flowing through Kottayam, today he is a thankful
presence flowing through the hearts of art lovers of Kerala.
Courtesy: Gireesh Varma, Malayalam Weekly, February 1, 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
