Thidambu Nritham – a spiritual journey - Anil

 

I remember an interview in all india radio 18 yrs back – guest of honor the legendary icon, thidambu nritham dance exponent and the ‘celestial thaandava’ dancer Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri; titled ormayile yavanika. He had given enlightenment to the listeners and replies for all the questions of the interviewer. Thousands of his admirers were not aware of his hardships and trainings. His debut performance was in Kanhangad, his native place and the event was roughly 50 yrs before; still, he is at the top. In those days, thidambu nritham was observed as a ritual in temples. Govindan Namboothiri has invigorated the dance – brought in noteworthy innovations, without rousing the originality and ritualistic traditions. ‘My ambition and passion since the age of 5 has been thidambu nritham and it continues..’ what else other than a life committed to thidambu nritham dance.. He explains the rudimentary methods and painful experiences he had during his initial days of training. ‘chavittithadal and training in the four fundamental rhythms are the basics’. Even now, he wakes up at 3 early in the morning and trains himself and disciples thidambu nritham till sunrise. Thidambu nritham is celebrated in a temple during annual temple festival. ‘In a temple, though the seva samiti invites me for the performance, it is the chief priest who gives final permission to me, because it is a divine art.’ In his words - ‘Thulasi, Chethi, Jamanthi and Mulla are main flowers used to decorate thidambu’. The color of the flower to be highlighted in the  garland depends on the main deity. ‘The dance begins with chenda melam followed by an important ritual ‘kotti urayikkal’ beginning at  north side if main diety faced eastwards, and if faced westwards, the ritual begins at the south side’. There are customary rhythms based on which thidambu nritham is structured – thakiladi, adantha, champada and panchaari further to conclude with ekathaalam. Govindan namboothiri had sacrificed each instant of his life for the development of art thidambu nritham. Several cultural organizations and temples honored the exceptional artist over the years, and the spiritual journey of the thidambu nritham legend continues. Unsurpassable divine dancer!