Kalamandalam Haridas
Encyclopedia
Kalamandalam Haridas, more popularly known as Venmani Haridas, (1946–2005) was a renowned Kathakali
musician noted for his evocative rendition of songs for the classical dance-drama from Kerala
in south India
.
Born on 15 September 1946 in Venmani Mana, a Namboodiri mansion of literary repute in Vellarappilly village east of Aluva
off Kochi, Haridas developed interest in Kathakali by watching performances of the classical dance-drama in the neighbouring Akavoor Mana. He was taught the basics in music by Mundakkal Sankara Varrier.
In 1960, he joined the famous Kerala Kalamandalam
and learned music under leading Kathakali musicians like Kalamandalam Neelakantan Nambisan
, Sivaraman Nair and Kalamandalam Gangadharan.
In 1968, he joined Darpana, a noted performing arts institute set up the famous danseuse Mrinalini Sarabhai
in Ahmedabad
, as a music teacher. This stint beyond the Vindhyas exposed him to various styles of north Indian renditions, including classical Hindustani music, but made him a rather obscure Kathakali musician back in Kerala.
A decade later, in 1978, Haridas fulfilled his ambition to get back to his home state for good when he was offered the post of music teacher at Margi in Thiruvanathapuram, where subsequently worked for three decades.
Haridas, on his return to the world of Kathakali, began as shinkiti (accompanist singer) on stage, primarily under star musician Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri
who groomed him. But eventually his melodious voice, clear enunciation of lyrics and support from friends and senior colleagues like Kalamandalam Hyderali
brought out his potential of rising to an eminent lead singer. He retained the essential emotion-laden Sopanam style of Kathakali music rendition even while infusing in it the microtone-heavy voice culture of the south Indian classical Carnatic music
.
In his heyday, Haridas was one of the favourite vocal accompanists of masters like Kalamandalam Gopi
, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair
, Kottakkal Sivaraman
and Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody
.
Haridas has acted in two Malayalam feature films, Swaham
and Vanaprastham, both directed by Shaji N. Karun
. He has also appeared in a few television serials.
On 17 September 2005, Haridas died of an acute liver problem in a hospital in Thiruvanathapuram.
A biography of Haridas, titled "Bhava Gayakan", has been published by Rainbow Books. Dr. N.P. Vijayakrishnan is the author.
Haridas is survived by his wife Saraswathi and two sons—actor Sharath and Harith.
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
musician noted for his evocative rendition of songs for the classical dance-drama from Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
in south India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Born on 15 September 1946 in Venmani Mana, a Namboodiri mansion of literary repute in Vellarappilly village east of Aluva
Aluva
Aluva , is a suburb of the city of Kochi, situated north of the city center and a municipality in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. Aluva is also a major industrial center of the state....
off Kochi, Haridas developed interest in Kathakali by watching performances of the classical dance-drama in the neighbouring Akavoor Mana. He was taught the basics in music by Mundakkal Sankara Varrier.
In 1960, he joined the famous Kerala Kalamandalam
Kerala Kalamandalam
Kerala Kalamandalam , lately renamed as Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture, is a major centre for learning Indian performing arts, especially those that developed in the southern state of India, with the special emphasis on Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in...
and learned music under leading Kathakali musicians like Kalamandalam Neelakantan Nambisan
Kalamandalam Neelakantan Nambisan
Kalamandalam Neelakantan Nambisan was a trend-setter Kathakali musician who played a crucial role in remoulding the aesthetics of singing for the classical dance-drama of Kerala, south India...
, Sivaraman Nair and Kalamandalam Gangadharan.
In 1968, he joined Darpana, a noted performing arts institute set up the famous danseuse Mrinalini Sarabhai
Mrinalini Sarabhai
Mrinalini Sarabhai is a celebrated Indian classical dancer, choreographer and instructor. She is the founder director of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, an institute for imparting training in dance, drama, music and puppetry, in the city of Ahmedabad...
in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, as a music teacher. This stint beyond the Vindhyas exposed him to various styles of north Indian renditions, including classical Hindustani music, but made him a rather obscure Kathakali musician back in Kerala.
A decade later, in 1978, Haridas fulfilled his ambition to get back to his home state for good when he was offered the post of music teacher at Margi in Thiruvanathapuram, where subsequently worked for three decades.
Haridas, on his return to the world of Kathakali, began as shinkiti (accompanist singer) on stage, primarily under star musician Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri
Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri
Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri was one of the most popular Kathakali musicians, credited with initiating a new wave in the rendition of songs for the classical dance-drama from Kerala in south India...
who groomed him. But eventually his melodious voice, clear enunciation of lyrics and support from friends and senior colleagues like Kalamandalam Hyderali
Kalamandalam Hyderali
Kalamandalam Hyderali was one of the best Kathakali singers of his generation, and the first non-Hindu artiste to make a mark in the four-century-old classical dance-drama from Kerala in south India....
brought out his potential of rising to an eminent lead singer. He retained the essential emotion-laden Sopanam style of Kathakali music rendition even while infusing in it the microtone-heavy voice culture of the south Indian classical Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
.
In his heyday, Haridas was one of the favourite vocal accompanists of masters like Kalamandalam Gopi
Kalamandalam Gopi
Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair popularly known as Kalamandalam Gopi is a exponent of the classical dance-drama style known as Kathakali...
, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair
Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair
Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair is one of the most senior performers of Kathakali, having been a grand and sober presence on the art form's stage for a span of over seven decades...
, Kottakkal Sivaraman
Kottakkal Sivaraman
Kottakkal Sivaraman was an acclaimed performing artiste who revolutionised the portrayal of female roles in Kathakali, the classical dance-drama from Kerala in southern India...
and Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody
Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody
Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody is a leading Kathakali artiste known for his restrained portrayal of character roles in the classical dance-drama of Kerala in south India. A frontline disciple of Padma Shri Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair, he excels in virtuous pachcha, anti-hero Kathi and the semi-realistic...
.
Haridas has acted in two Malayalam feature films, Swaham
Swaham
Swaham is an award-winning feature film directed by Shaji N. Karun. The film is in Malayalam. It stars Aswani, Venumani Vishnu and Mullenezhi. The film's music is composed by Isaac Thomas Kottukapally and K. Raghavan. Swaham met with widespread critical acclaim upon release...
and Vanaprastham, both directed by Shaji N. Karun
Shaji N. Karun
Shaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival...
. He has also appeared in a few television serials.
On 17 September 2005, Haridas died of an acute liver problem in a hospital in Thiruvanathapuram.
A biography of Haridas, titled "Bhava Gayakan", has been published by Rainbow Books. Dr. N.P. Vijayakrishnan is the author.
Haridas is survived by his wife Saraswathi and two sons—actor Sharath and Harith.
External links
- List of kathakalipadams sung by Venmani Haridas from kathakalipadam.com: A comprehensive database for kathakali music with streaming
- http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/05/06/stories/2005050602790200.htm
- http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005092300760300.htm&date=2005/09/23/&prd=fr&
- http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006101300900300.htm&date=2006/10/13/&prd=fr&