Kerala - Its Contribution to Indian History & Culture

[padmanabha]

Thaadaka vadham:

Was Rama in love with Thaadaka? Why it was not fulfilled then? That was a different approach to “Thaadaka Vadham” attakkatha penned by Prof. V Kkrishanan Thampi. It was staged today by Sandarsan Kathakali Vidyalayam Ambalapuzha, at Karthika Tirunal Theatre. The show was organized by Drisyavedi in connection Prof. Krishanan Thampi Day. Thampi had portrayed this story in the backdrop of Aryan-Dravidian conflict.
Thaadaka the Dravidian Queen was seated with pride when a messenger conveys what he had seen at Aryadesam. Thaadakam had already vowed to eradicate Aryans. This news delivered by the messenger makes her unrest. She at once engages her men to bring those Aryans who performs rituals by force.
In the next scene, Dasaradhan refuses to send Rama with Viswamitran for participating in a yagam and they argue over this issue. When irritated Viswamitran was about to curse Dasaradhan, Vasishtan reaches there and prevents the act of cursing. He advises Dasaradhan to sent Rama with Viswamitran. The sages say that an ogress is troubling them and seeks Rama’s help. However Rama had taken the vow that he would never slay woman. They reach Thaadakavaanam. Rama was desperate. He was awe struck with the silence of the forest. He realizes the power of Thaadaka. Out of fear all living creatures had under cover. Gradually he slips into deep sleep.

Wandering Thaadaka saw a handsome young man. She was attracted towards him. That was love at first sight. She suddenly realizes her vow when she tries to kiss him. “IT is against the dharma. He is my enemy. I should not develop any soft corner for him” she says and slowly walks back.
Rama wakens and sees a charming lady. But she had vanished in no time. Who can that be? How dare she is to wander in this forest dominated by the ogress and her men.

Rama again bumps with her. She introduces her as vanadevatha. Rama discloses his mission warns her about Thaadaka.

She suggests Rama to go for a compromise with Thaadaka to which Rama turns a deaf ear. They depart. Viswamitran conducts yaga and armed Rama protects the yagasala. But he curses his faith to slain a woman. He makes a final attempt and pleads Viswamitran that he wanted to decline fro the act of slaying a woman.
The Sage insists and directs him to kill her. Rama had no other way. He tells his arrows that he is unable to aim at a woman and but pleads them strike her. He hears the roaring of the ogress and aims his arrows in the direction of the sound.
The arrows pierce Thaadaka’s body. Rama reaches the spot to find that the Vanadevatha was injured badly. She reveals her true identity. HE consoles her. Thaadaka prophesies that their love would be fulfilled in their next births when Rama would be born as a cow herd (Krishna) and herself as Radha. Kalamandalam Shanmughan (Thaadaka) and Kalamandalam mukundan (RAMA) and Kalamandalam Hari S Nair (Thaadaka –kari vesham) were the main perfomers.