|
The Margi Theatre in Trivandrum is an important feature of the city; not just
because it is one of the major landmarks in the cityscape, but also because it
is one of the establishments in the city that serves to further a crucial aspect
of the Malayali and other traditional performing arts from other states too. However,
that is not the only function of the Margi Theatre; it is also one of the chief
centers of Entertainment in Trivandrum.
The Margi Theatre at Trivandrum was first set up in the year 1970 to
serve as a performance center and a platform to act out the various Indian classical
theatrical arts. Initially, the Margi Theatre in Trivandrum served to further
the performances of dances such as Kuchupudi, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Mohini
Attom, Manipuri, Koodiyattom, Kathakali, Kathak, Arjuna Nritham and Chakiarkooothu;
dance sramas like Mudiyettu; and music such as VedicMusic, Thevaram and Hindustani
classical music. The purpose of the Margi Theatre of Trivandrum was to showcase
art forms from different states that had never been performed out in the city
of Trivandrum.
By the year 1974, the Margi Theatre of Trivandrum had quite established itself
and become a full fledged traditional "Gurukul" style learning establishment.
This meant that the students and teachers lived under the same roof on a daily
basis. It then became a centre for instruction in Kathakali. Over the years
the Margi Theatre in Trivandrum grew and got to be associated with famous names
like Mankulam Vishnu Namboodiri and the Padmashree holder, Kalamandalam Krishnan
Nair, to name a few. Also, the Margi Theatre in Trivandrum went beyond the Kathakali
instructions and diversified into teaching music types and dance-dramas too.
This, however, does not go to say that the Margi Theatre in Trivandrum only
had famous instructors and teachers; the Margi Theatre in Trivandrum also churned
out several well known performers too. Some of the more popular names who learnt
at the Margi Theatre in Trivandrum are Inchakattu Ramachandran Pillai, Oyoor
Ratheesan, Nandakumar, Retnakaran and Oyoor Ratheesan.
|
