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| Savitri, Kozhissery Mana, Shornur, Palakkad |
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So, the
8-year-old
started learning the art from Kalamandalam Kuttan and Sadanam
Krishnankutty. By the time she was 19
years old, she had performed in about 280 stages and even won a medal
from the
Vice President of India. At that time
she was known as Desamangalam Savitri.
But
marriage
at the age of 19 put a pause in her Kathakali ventures.
And that pause lasted for more than 50 years.
However, at the age of 72 when she decided to come out of artistic
hibernation,
she did not have to struggle much to find her form.
Within a week she could practice and perform
the role of Damayanti in the first part of Nalacharitam.
So, with
the assistance of Kalanilayam Vasudevan, she performed at the festival
of
Bhagavati temple at Kuzhakkottukavu, Manjakkadu, Shornur recently. At the end of the performance, it was a shower
of appreciation for the septuagenarian.
Many gathered to take selfie with the artist.
She is
quite willing to perform on more stages, if chances come her way.
Mathrubhumi,
January 23, 2024
