Appunni Tharakan’s decades-long dedication to the art form, from assisting legendary artists to innovating costume techniques, leaves an indelible mark on the world of Kathakali.
Appunni Tharakan, a name synonymous with the backstage magic of Kathakali, passed away yesterday at the age of 96. Fondly called “Appunniyettan” by the Kathakali fraternity, he was a towering presence in the world of Kathakali costumes, dedicating over seven decades to the craft.
Initiated into the world of Kathakali greenrooms at the age of 14 by his brother-in-law, Pambath Sankaran, Tharakan began his journey as a costume assistant with the Olappamanna Mana Kathakali Yogam. His first assignment at the Vazhenkada Narasimhamoorthi Temple involved carrying heavy costume boxes on foot due to the lack of transportation—a practice he continued for several years.
Young Appunni’s first assignment in the greenroom was at the famous Vazhenkada Narasimhamoorthi Temple at Vazhenkada. At that time, there was no transport system to shift the costumes from Olappamanna Mana to the Kathakali venue. Tharakan, along with some other men, carried the heavy wooden costume boxes on their heads and walked. This system continued for several years. When his senior partners bid farewell to the profession due to bad health and age, Appunni Tharakan became the senior-most costumer.
Serving generations of artists
The span of Appunni Tharakan’s service in the Kathakali greenroom extended from Guru Kunju Kurup to young artists aged twenty-five now. His mastery over the craft of ‘Uduthukettal’ (the bottom area costume arrangement) was renowned due to his dedication and commitment. However, many Kathakali artists observed other qualities in his behaviour that made him unique. His overall management in the green room, especially in the hospitality of incoming artists, their food, refreshments, etc., was punctual and systematic.
Appunni Tharakan believed all these things as his duty. “We are the people who reach the venue first, and we go home only last. Because we have to pack and spread all the make-up items and costume materials for the artists. We also must repack and put all of them in their previous places,” he said once. “Like the Kathakali artists, costume people never get time to sleep at night during the festival season. But we never tried to compromise on our responsibilities,” he had said.
He had numerous opportunities to work with maestros and legendary performers like Vazhenkada Kunju Nair, Kalamandalam Ramankutti Nair, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, and Kalamandalam Gopi. Tharakan became familiar with the specialities and preferences of these artistes while doing the make-up.
“Except for Padmanabhan Nair Asan, all the other senior artists had some kind of specialities and ethics in the green room. Padmanabhan Nair Asan was always silent. Kunju Nair Asan and Ramankutti Nair Asan were strict and well-disciplined. Kumaran Nair never complained about anything. Gopi Asan was very particular about all his costume materials and never made any bad comments on my work,” Tharakan had recollected his colourful memories. He also had fond memories of Madavoor Vasudevan Nair and Kottakkal Sivaraman.
The speciality of Appunni Tharakan as a costume assistant in Kathakali was his skill of observation and pleasant nature in the green room. He was always available for all the work there in the ‘Aniyara’ (Kathakali greenroom). “We are the people who transform them from human beings to characters like Nala, Arjuna, Bheemasena, Duryodhana, etc., so we have to concentrate on each and every minute area of the ‘vesham’,” he had said.
Mastering the green room
There are four types of ‘Abhinayas’ in Kathakali, among which ‘Aharyam’ is very important and believed that it cannot be compromised.
Appunni Tharakan was the chief costumer of the Kerala Kalamandalam Kathakali Troupe for some years. During that time, he was very active in preparing new costumes and make-up materials for the artists. After he retired from Kalamandalam, Tharakan slowly moved to concentrate on his own costume-renting organisation named “Manjuthara” at his home near Vellinezhi. He remained very much alive and active until Covid, with his uncountable experiences in greenroom activities
His biography, Aniyara Shilpi, Nambyarathu Appunitharakan, by author Vini Devayani, was launched last year at Kerala Kalamandalam.
2 Comments
Unsung Hero
Read the obit with much interest.