Kerala: Sister-brother duo from Tripunithura top Kathakali exams

TRIPUNITHURA: Aryadevi and younger brother Vasudev were inspired to take Kathakali as their main subject for BA after watching numerous Kathakali performances at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple during their childhood.
It was a special day in the household where the sister-brother duo secured first ranks in their respective subjects. While Aryadevi got first rank in BA Kathakali Vesham (acting), her younger brother Vasudev bagged the first rank in BA Kathakali Sangeetham from the Mahatma Gandhi University. Both were students of RLV College of Music and Fine Arts.
"We never missed the eight-day long Kathakali performances during the festive nights at the temple, and it inspired us to learn Kathakali academically,'' Vasudev said.
Aryadevi, who selected Kathakali Vesham (acting) as her subject, learned the basics of Kathakali from Ranjini Suresh, a noted Kathakali actor.
"I was attracted by the soulful rendition of Kathakali Sangeetham by renowned singers like late Sankaran Embranthiri and Unnikrishna Kurup,'' she said.
She has also secured first rank in Kerala Government Certificate Examination in Fine Arts and Animation.
Following the footsteps of her ancestors, Aryadevi has also mastered floor painting associated with the ritual art form Ayyappan Theeyaattu.
Vasudev learned Kathakali Sangeetham as a disciple of Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan. Both Arya and Vasudev are planning to focus on research work for promoting and preserving the ancient art form.