Page 27 - Keralite Magazine _2020

KERALITE  APRIL 20 20 35
Kathakali, the story-telling dance drama of Kerala.
Chettan not only knew most of the Kathakali
stories, but understood the intricacies of the dance
- the actors’ unique eye / body movements and hand
mudras. Even when he was bedridden in his later
days of life, he would watch tapes of Kathakali
performance and greatly enjoy them.

“Chettan knew, by heart, most of the romantic
poems like ‘Vazhakkula’ and ‘Ramanan’ written by
Changampuzha and literary classics like ‘Veena

Poovu,’ ‘Karuna,’ etc., brought to life by Kumaran
Asan. Even in his sickbed, Madhavan Chettan
would read or listen to exquisite and eternal poems
such as - ‘Kaananachhayayil aadu meikkan njanum
varatteyo ninte koode…’ and ‘inneevidham gathi
ninakkayi poka pinnonnonnai thudarnnu varumavazhi
njangal ellaam.’

“His passion for the arts, his love for all of us, and
the zeal with which he lived was what made my
Madhavan Chettan an amazing and endearing
person to me. I will miss him dearly.”