P. Rajagopal_Extract from Krishna’s Embassy
Pre-war negotiations between Duryodhana and Krishna from the all-night play “Krishna’s Embassy” (“Krishnan Tutu”) composed/written by Kalavai Kumarasami Vattiyar – an episode from the Mahabharata as performed in P. Rajagopal’s style of Kattaikkuttu theatre.
Performed at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam & Gurukulam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India on 2 January 2017. Duration: 1:29:38 min.
P. Rajagopal (1953) is an actor, director and writer. He grew up in the village Perungattur, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India, in a family of traditional Kattaikkuttu performers.
P. Rajagopal started the Kattaikkuttu Sangam in 1990 and the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam in 2002 with his wife Hanne M. de Bruin.
Rajagopal has been a Kattaikkuttu actor since the age of 10, first in his father’s company and then, for more than 30 years having his own theatre company.
He has performed in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu – the mainland of the Kattaikkuttu tradition, as well as other parts of India, Italy, England, Scotland, The Netherlands and Belgium for specific festivals.
Rajagopal is currently the artistic director of the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam.
This role is one of the seminal kuttu roles.
Actors:
Krishna – P. Rajagopal
Duryodhana – A. Kailasam
Dharmaraja (Yudhisthira) – R. Kumar
Draupadi – S. Tamilarasi
Kattiyakkaran – M. Doraisamy
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam/dholak - A. Dillibabu
Mukavinai - P. Sasikumar
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Abhimanyu_Part_1
Original all-night play “Abhimanyu” – an episode of the Mahabharata adapted by P. Rajagopal (2011) and performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professionals Company under his direction (2017).
Performed at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam & Gurukulam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India on 5-6 January 2017. Duration: 1:07:51.
Summary Part 1: Melakkattu (musical introduction), entry of the Kattiyakkarans (Clowns), entry of Krishna, entry of Subhadra, Mahalakshmi and two ladies-in-waiting, pre-delivery rituals for a pregnant Subhadra, entry of Vattiyar (school master), entry of Abhimanyu, entry of Sundari.
Directed by P.Rajagopal
Costume by Hanne de Bruin
Actors:
Kattiyakkarans - K. Poovarasan, S. Ajai
Krishna – A. Bharati
Subhadra – T. Vinodhini
Mahalakshmi – A. Narmada
Ladies-in-waiting – E. Harisha, M. Ahalya
Vattiyar – A. Dillibabu
Abhimanyu – S. Sangeetha
Sundari – K. Sivaranjani
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam – A. Selvarasu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Original script/music @ 2011 P. Rajagopal
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
P. Rajagopal_Dice_and_Disrobing_Part_1
Excerpt of the all-night Mahabharata play “Dice and Disrobing” (“Pakatai Tukil”) performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professionals Company trained and directed by P. Rajagopal. The episode end with P. Rajagopal’s new addition to this traditional play — a final game of dice between Draupadi and Duryodhana. Duration: 1:15:51 mins.
Summary Part 1: Melakkattu (musical introduction), entry of the Kattiyakkarans, entry of Duryodhana and Sakuni, entry of Viduran who invites the Pandavas to come and see the new hall built by Duryodhana, Dharmaraja’s four brothers refuse to go to Hastinapura, game of dice between Sakuni (on behalf of Duryodhana) and Dharmaraja in which he loses his priceless necklace, his country, four brothers, himself and, finally, their common wife, Draupadi.
Directed by P.Rajagopal
Costumes by Hanne de Bruin
Actors:
Kattiyakkarans – S. Ajai, M. Inbarasan
Duryodhana – P. Rajagopal
Sakuni – A. Dillibabu
Viduran – T. Vinodhini
Yudhishthira (Dharmaraja) – S. Srimathy
Bhima – S. Ekaputhiran
Arjuna – P. Haridas
Nakula – S. Haribabu
Sahadeva – S.S. Srivanis
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam/dholak – A. Selvarasu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Talam – B. Mageshwaran, N. Karthi
Pinnani – A. Kailasam
Filmed by Sue Rees at
Kattaikkuttu Sangam | Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarasantankal Village | Aiyankarkulam Post-631502
Kanchipuram District | Tamil Nadu | India
26 January 2017
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
P. Rajagopal: Karna Moksham
Karna’s Entrance from the all night play Karna Moksham
and the final good bye to his wife, Ponnuruvi, before he lives for the battlefield.
Performed at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam & Gurukulam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India on 3rd February 2018. Duration: 00:45:19 min.
Actors:
Karna– P. Rajagopal
Kattiyakkaran – A. Dillibabu
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam – A. Selvarasu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Footage taken whilst on a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Awards - Research Flex Grant
Performance © 2018 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2018 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
P. Rajagopal_Dice_and_Disrobing_Part_2
Excerpt of the all-night Mahabharata play “Dice and Disrobing” (“Pakatai Tukil”) performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professionals Company trained and directed by P. Rajagopal. The episode end with P. Rajagopal’s new addition to this traditional play — a final game of dice between Draupadi and Duryodhana. Duration: 1:15:51 mins.
Summary Part 2: Entry of Duhsasana, entry of Draupadi, Duhsasana challenges Draupadi to come to the assembly, she refuses, he pulls her by her hair, entry of blind-folded Gandhari, Draupadi seeks her help, Duhsasana deposits Draupadi at the feet of her enslaved husbands, she bids them to do something but they are unable to, Draupadi demands an answer from the assembly of kings to her question (“Did he stake me prior to or after losing himself?”), the assembly is silent, Vikarna speaks up, Duryodhana orders Duhsasana to disrobe Draupadi, he fails and falls down exhausted, Bhisma and Vidura acknowledge Draupadi’s divine nature, Draupadi and the Pandavas take vows to kill important members of the Kaurava-clan, Dhritarasthra gets afraid, tries to undo their vows and promises to return everything they have lost, upon hearing his father’s words Duryodhana gets very angry and invites Draupadi to sit on his lap, Draupadi challenges him to a final game of dice.
Directed by P.Rajagopal
Costumes by Hanne de Bruin
Actors:
Duhsasana – K. Radhakrishna
Draupadi – S. Tamilarasi
Curtain – E. Nandini, A. Narmada
Gandhari – A. Velan
Sakuni – A. Dillibabu
Dhritarashtra – R. Kumar
Bhishma – M. Doraisamy
Vikarna – K. Sivaranjani
Yudhishthira (Dharmaraja) – S. Srimathy
Bhima – S. Ekaputhiran
Arjuna – P. Haridas
Nakula – S. Haribabu
Sahadeva – S.S. Srivanis
Kattiyakkarans – S. Ajai, M. Inbarasan
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam/dholak – A. Selvarasu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Talam – B. Mageshwaran, N. Karthi
Pinnani – A. Kailasam, A. Bharati
Filmed by Sue Rees at
Kattaikkuttu Sangam | Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarasantankal Village | Aiyankarkulam Post-631502
Kanchipuram District | Tamil Nadu | India
26 January 2017
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
P. Rajagopal_Dice_and_Disrobing_Part_1
Excerpt of the all-night Mahabharata play “Dice and Disrobing” (“Pakatai Tukil”) performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professionals Company trained and directed by P. Rajagopal. The episode end with P. Rajagopal’s new addition to this traditional play — a final game of dice between Draupadi and Duryodhana. Duration: 1:15:51 mins.
Summary Part 1: Melakkattu (musical introduction), entry of the Kattiyakkarans, entry of Duryodhana and Sakuni, entry of Viduran who invites the Pandavas to come and see the new hall built by Duryodhana, Dharmaraja’s four brothers refuse to go to Hastinapura, game of dice between Sakuni (on behalf of Duryodhana) and Dharmaraja in which he loses his priceless necklace, his country, four brothers, himself and, finally, their common wife, Draupadi.
P. Rajagopal (1953) is an actor, director and writer. He grew up in the village Perungattur, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India, in a family of traditional Kattaikkuttu performers.
P. Rajagopal started the Kattaikkuttu Sangam in 1990 and the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam in 2002 with his wife Hanne M. de Bruin.
Rajagopal has been a Kattaikkuttu actor since the age of 10, first in his father’s company and then, for more than 30 years having his own theatre company.
He has performed in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu – the mainland of the Kattaikkuttu tradition, as well as other parts of India, Italy, England, Scotland, The Netherlands and Belgium for specific festivals.
Rajagopal is currently the artistic director of the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam.
This role is one of the seminal kuttu roles.
Directed by P.Rajagopal
Costumes by Hanne de Bruin
Actors:
Kattiyakkarans – S. Ajai, M. Inbarasan
Duryodhana – P. Rajagopal
Sakuni – A. Dillibabu
Viduran – T. Vinodhini
Yudhishthira (Dharmaraja) – S. Srimathy
Bhima – S. Ekaputhiran
Arjuna – P. Haridas
Nakula – S. Haribabu
Sahadeva – S.S. Srivanis
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam/dholak – A. Selvarasu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Talam – B. Mageshwaran, N. Karthi
Pinnani – A. Kailasam
Filmed by Sue Rees at
Kattaikkuttu Sangam | Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarasantankal Village | Aiyankarkulam Post-631502
Kanchipuram District | Tamil Nadu | India
26 January 2017
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Karna Moksham Part1_2006
Karna Moksham
18th march 2006
overnight performance - Part 1
Directed by P.Rajagopal
Performed by members of the Kattaikkuttu Sangam and students from the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam
Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India
Video footage © 2006 Sue Rees
The Royal Sacrifice _Clown Shorts
Short segments of the clown scenes from
The Royal Sacrifice
Rājacūya Yākam – The Rājasūya Sacrifice
Directed by P. Rajagopal
Clowns:
M. Duraisamy
S. Gobinath
M. Inbarasan
Krishna:
S. Tamilarasi
King (Jarasandha):
B.Mageshwaran
performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professional Company and
students from the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam and Kattaikkuttu Sangam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India
10th – 11th February 2018
Performed at Chayyar Village, Tamil Nadu, India
With thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi, for their support to some of the artists through their Repertory Grant
Footage taken whilst on a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Awards - Research Flex Grant
Video footage © 2018 Sue Rees
Arjuna_Tapas_Extract
Tarkkam (sung debate) of Mohini and Arjuna from the all-night play “Arjuna’s Penance” (“Arjuna’s Tapas”) composed by Masilamani Vattiyar - an episode from the Mahabharata as performed in P. Rajagopal’s style of Kattaikkuttu theatre. The tarkkam is followed by (a part of) the song-sequence sung when Arjuna mounts the tapas pole, a 60 feet high stake which is part of the off-stage ritual following the all-night play. At the end of his penance he obtains the Pasupati weapon from Siva.
Performed at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam & Gurukulam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India on 20 January 2017. Duration: 1:29:38 min.
P. Rajagopal (1953) is an actor, director and writer. He grew up in the village Perungattur, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India, in a family of traditional Kattaikkuttu performers.
P. Rajagopal started the Kattaikkuttu Sangam in 1990 and the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam in 2002 with his wife Hanne M. de Bruin.
Rajagopal has been a Kattaikkuttu actor since the age of 10, first in his father’s company and then, for more than 30 years having his own theatre company.
He has performed in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu – the mainland of the Kattaikkuttu tradition, as well as other parts of India, Italy, England, Scotland, The Netherlands and Belgium for specific festivals.
Rajagopal is currently the artistic director of the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam.
This role is one of the seminal kuttu roles.
Actors:
Arjuna – P. Rajagopal
Mohini – B. Saravanan
Kattiyakkaran – A. Dillibabu
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam – A. Selvarasu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Royal Sacrifice Part4
Rājacūya Yākam – The Rājasūya Sacrifice
10th – 11th February 2018
Directed by P.Rajagopal
performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professional Company and
students from the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam and Kattaikkuttu Sangam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India
Performed at Chayyar Town, Tamil Nadu, India
Mridangam and Dholak A. Selvarasu & A. Dillibabu
Harmonium R. Balajai & H. Kaviyarasu
Mukavinai P. Sasikumar
Curtain assistants M. Anandhakumar, S. Parithivanan & S. Manikandan
Kattiyakkaran (Clowns ) S. Gobinath, S. Ajai, M. Inbarasan & M. Duraisamy
Kamsan M. Duraisamy
Minister S. Sangeetha
Minister K. Sivaranjani
Nandhani S. Srimathi
Sundhani K. Mala
Krishna S. Tamilarasi
Balarama E. Nandini
Januran (wrestler) S. Haribabu
Mustigan (wrestler) M. Anbarasan
Mahout K. Poovarasan
Elephant M. Anandhakumar & K. Gokulan
Sarasanthan (Jarasandha) B. Mageshwaran
Gopis A. Bharathi, K. Mala, S. Sangeetha, A. Sneha, K. Sivaranjani & M. Ahalya
Narada S. Parithivanan
Dharma E. Harisha
Bhima S. Ekaputhiran
Arjuna P. Haridas
Nakula S. Haribabu
Sahadeva M. Anbarasan
Sisubala A. Velan
Pangayavadhani (Sisubala's wife) T. Vinodini
Duriyodhana H. Kaviyarasu
Sakuni K. Gokulan
Bhishma E. Nandini
Draupadi A. Sneha
With thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi, for their support to some of the artists through their Repertory Grant
Footage taken whilst on a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Awards - Research Flex Grant
Video footage © 2018 Sue Rees
Royal Sacrifice Part5
Rājacūya Yākam – The Rājasūya Sacrifice
10th – 11th February 2018
Directed by P.Rajagopal
performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professional Company and
students from the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam and Kattaikkuttu Sangam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India
Performed at Chayyar Town, Tamil Nadu, India
Mridangam and Dholak A. Selvarasu & A. Dillibabu
Harmonium R. Balajai & H. Kaviyarasu
Mukavinai P. Sasikumar
Curtain assistants M. Anandhakumar, S. Parithivanan & S. Manikandan
Kattiyakkaran (Clowns ) S. Gobinath, S. Ajai, M. Inbarasan & M. Duraisamy
Kamsan M. Duraisamy
Minister S. Sangeetha
Minister K. Sivaranjani
Nandhani S. Srimathi
Sundhani K. Mala
Krishna S. Tamilarasi
Balarama E. Nandini
Januran (wrestler) S. Haribabu
Mustigan (wrestler) M. Anbarasan
Mahout K. Poovarasan
Elephant M. Anandhakumar & K. Gokulan
Sarasanthan (Jarasandha) B. Mageshwaran
Gopis A. Bharathi, K. Mala, S. Sangeetha, A. Sneha, K. Sivaranjani & M. Ahalya
Narada S. Parithivanan
Dharma E. Harisha
Bhima S. Ekaputhiran
Arjuna P. Haridas
Nakula S. Haribabu
Sahadeva M. Anbarasan
Sisubala A. Velan
Pangayavadhani (Sisubala's wife) T. Vinodini
Duriyodhana H. Kaviyarasu
Sakuni K. Gokulan
Bhishma E. Nandini
Draupadi A. Sneha
With thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi, for their support to some of the artists through their Repertory Grant
Footage taken whilst on a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Awards - Research Flex Grant
Video footage © 2018 Sue Rees
Song from Kuravanchi
Song from Kuravanchi
Draupadi’s entrance song in Kuravanchi
Arranged and Sung by P.Rajagopal
Recorded at the
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarsantankal Village, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
2013
Video Sue Rees
Seminal sounds, songs and Viruttam from Kattaikkuttu performances.
Recorded in 2013 and 2018
Sung by P.Rajagopal
For more information contact
or
kattaiku@gmail.com
plus
Dice_and_Disrobing_Part_2 by Shri Renukambal Kattaikkuttu Manram, Siruvanchipattu Village
Dice and Disrobing (“Pakatai Tukil”) by Shri Renukambal Kattaikkuttu Manram, Siruvanchipattu Village, Tamil Nadu, India.
Excerpt of the all-night Mahabharata performance of “Dice and Disrobing” from Duryodhana’s entry, the dice scene between Dharma and Sakuni Duhsasana pulling Draupadi by her hair into the royal assembly and ending with his attempt to disrobe her and Draupadi’s vow to kill Duryodhana. Duration: 1:30:00.
Actors:
C. Sitaraman – Dharma
M. Arumukam – Sakuni
S. Elumalai – Duryodhana
G. Thiruvenkadam – 1st Draupadi
R. Velu – 1st Duhsasana
G. Dhanapal – 2nd Duhsasana
R. Selvam – 2nd Draupadi
P. Murali – Vidura & Gandhari
E. Shrirangan – Kattiyakkaran
R. Manikandan – Bhima
E. Rajendiran – Arjuna
I. Somasundaram – Sahadeva
Musicians:
S. Sitaraman – harmonium
R. Santamurthi – mridangam/dholak
S. Shanmugam – mukavinai
Filmed by Sue Rees at
Kattaikkuttu Sangam | Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarasantankal Village | Aiyankarkulam Post-631502
Kanchipuram District | Tamil Nadu | India
10 January 2017
Performance © 2017 Shri Renukambal Kattaikkuttu Manram
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Singing to the Goddess
Singing to the Goddess Ponniyamman in Perungattur
Sung and arranged by P.Rajagopal
Recorded at the
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarsantankal Village, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
2013
Video Sue Rees
Seminal sounds, songs and Viruttam from Kattaikkuttu performances.
Recorded in 2013 and 2018
Sung by P.Rajagopal
For more information contact
or
kattaiku@gmail.com
plus
Song from The Royal Sacrifice
Song from The Royal Sacrifice
Dialogue followed by Song
Sisupalan speaking to Bhisma, questioning why the first honor goes to Krishna not to somebody who is senior to Krishna..
Surul song (karnatic rap)
Sung by P.Rajagopal
Recorded at the
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarsantankal Village, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
2013
Video Sue Rees
Seminal sounds, songs and Viruttam from Kattaikkuttu performances.
Recorded in 2013 and 2018
Sung by P.Rajagopal
For more information contact
or
kattaiku@gmail.com
plus
Song from Karna Moksham Karna's entry
Song from Karna Moksham
Karna's entry behind curtain
Sung by P.Rajagopal
Recorded at the
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarsantankal Village, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
3rd February 2018
Video Sue Rees
Seminal sounds, songs and Viruttam from Kattaikkuttu performances.
Recorded in 2013 and 2018
Sung by P.Rajagopal
For more information contact
or
kattaiku@gmail.com
plus
Dice and Disrobing Part 3 Kattaikkuttu Sangam
Dice_and_Disrobing_Part_3
Performed at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam & Gurukulam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India on 23rd December2017. T0tal Duration: 2hrs 30mins.
Direction © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Abhimanyu_Part_3
Original all-night play “Abhimanyu” – an episode of the Mahabharata adapted by P. Rajagopal (2011) and performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professionals Company under his direction (2017).
Performed at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam & Gurukulam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India on 5-6 January 2017. Duration: 1:39:30.
Summary Part 3: Entry Ghototkacha, Aravan and Babruvahana, entry of Duryodhana, Sakuni and Lakshakumara, the latter has some frightening experiences at his prospective bride (Sundari)’s place, Abhimanyu ties up Krishna, marriage of Abhimanyu and Sundari, entry of Drona, war deliberations on the Kaurava side.
Directed by P.Rajagopal
Costume by Hanne de Bruin
Actors:
Ghatotkacha – M. Doraisamy
Aravan – S. Haribabu
Babruvahana – P. Vasanthakumar
Kattiyakkarans - K. Poovarasan, S. Ajai
Duryodhana – K. Radhakrishna
Lakshakumara – N. Karthi
Sakuni – S. Ekaputhiran
Abhimanyu – S. Sangeetha
Sundari – K. Sivaranjani
Krishna – A. Bharati
Drona – A. Velan
Karna - P. Haridas
Duhsasana – M. Anandha Kumar
Musicians:
Harmonium – S. Balaji
Mridangam – A. Selvarasu, A. Dillibabu
Mukavinai – P. Sasikumar
Original script/music @ 2011 P. Rajagopal
Performance © 2017 P. Rajagopal
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Dice_and_Disrobing_Part_1 by Shri Renukambal Kattaikkuttu Manram, Siruvanchipattu Village
Dice and Disrobing (“Pakatai Tukil”) by Shri Renukambal Kattaikkuttu Manram, Siruvanchipattu Village, Tamil Nadu, India.
Excerpt of the all-night Mahabharata performance of “Dice and Disrobing” from Duryodhana’s entry, the dice scene between Dharma and Sakuni Duhsasana pulling Draupadi by her hair into the royal assembly and ending with his attempt to disrobe her and Draupadi’s vow to kill Duryodhana. Duration: 1:30:00.
Actors:
C. Sitaraman – Dharma
M. Arumukam – Sakuni
S. Elumalai – Duryodhana
G. Thiruvenkadam – 1st Draupadi
R. Velu – 1st Duhsasana
G. Dhanapal – 2nd Duhsasana
R. Selvam – 2nd Draupadi
P. Murali – Vidura & Gandhari
E. Shrirangan – Kattiyakkaran
R. Manikandan – Bhima
E. Rajendiran – Arjuna
I. Somasundaram – Sahadeva
Musicians:
S. Sitaraman – harmonium
R. Santamurthi – mridangam/dholak
S. Shanmugam – mukavinai
Filmed by Sue Rees at
Kattaikkuttu Sangam | Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam
Kuttu Kalai Kudam | Centre for Performing Arts
36 Punjarasantankal Village | Aiyankarkulam Post-631502
Kanchipuram District | Tamil Nadu | India
10 January 2017
Performance © 2017 Shri Renukambal Kattaikkuttu Manram
Video footage © 2017 Sue Rees
(Filmed whilst undertaking a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Research Award 2016-2018)
Dice and Disrobing 2008 Part4
Dice and Disrobing ((Pakatai Tukil)
22nd January 2008 from 10 pm – 6am
at Kolivakkam Village, Tamil Nadu, India
Part 4
Directed by P.Rajagopal
performed by the Kattaikkuttu Young Professional Company and
students from the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam and Kattaikkuttu Sangam, Kuttu Kalai Kudam, Punjarasantankal, Tamil Nadu, India
Video footage © 2008 Sue Rees