Kerala resident Lakshmi Ranjith has proved that Kathakali can also be learned through online platforms. She is a native of Manjoor village in Kottayam district. She started it as a hobby during the COVID-19 time but now dances in many programmes. She completed her Kathakali training under the guidance of Mayyanad Kesavan Namboothiri.
Lakshmi Ranjith, who took Kathakali online, said that it is a very difficult art if learned directly from the guru. Despite the limitations, she completed her training and debuted at Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple.
Lakshmi was inspired to join an online Kathakali Aswadana class organised by Kalamandalam Rajeevan Namboothiri. Kathakali was taught 100% online. The study started during the COVID era. Interested people started joining the platform to teach the students. Lakshmi’s father Manjoor Omanakuttan was also a Kathakali dancer. It’s just that the desire to learn Kathakali, which started in the ninth grade, has now come true for Lakshmi.
At the Kottayam, in Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Temple prepared a stage for the disciple and the Guru to play Santanagopalam together. Lakshmi came to the arena in the guise of Krishna. In the Santanagopalam story, Guru Mayyanad Namboothiri portrayed the role of Brahmin and disciple Lakshmi as Sri Krishna. Kalamandalam Vaisakhan (Arjuna), Shailaja Kumar (Brahmin woman) and RLV Anuraj (old woman) were the other actors.
Lakshmi, the daughter of the late Omanakuttan of Manjoor Shantibhavan, who was a Kathakali actor, has always wanted to study Kathakali since she was young. She watched her father perform at ceremonies. With a job and other responsibilities, she never tries to invest time in this hobby. However, this online platform helped her to join hands with her old interests and learn Kathak.
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