The Tamil Nadu Kattaikkuttu Kalai Valarchi Munnetra Sangam is a grassroots organization that promotes the cultural and economic rights of professional Kattaikkuttu performers. It was established in 1990 by a group of seventeen performers belonging to different Kattaikkuttu theatre companies. At present the Sangam has more than two hundred members who live in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu and the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The Kattaikkuttu Sangam runs the Kattaikkuttu Youth Theatre School, which provides professional Kattaikkuttu training to underprivileged, rural children in combination with basic education. The Sangam provides a framework within which performers can discuss their professional demands and aspirations. It produces new plays, organizes theatre and other creative workshops, in addition to an annual Kattaikkuttu Festival.
The Kattaikkuttu Sangam is the organizer of the Kuttu Festival 2005 through which it wants to celebrate, together with other performers and its regular audiences, the fact that the organization exists fifteen years. For this special occasion a group of thirty-five performers who act in the nine different Kattaikkuttu performances put up by the Sangam, in addition to co-organizing the event. They special performance group represents actors and musicians drawn from two important Kattaikkuttu styles, that from around Kanchipuram-Cheyyar and that found in the Gingee-Vilupuram area.
2 hours The story of the Humiliation of Saindhavan (Saindhava karvapankam) recounts one of the Pandavas' experiences during their exile into the forest (vanavasam). Like many other Kattaikkuttu plays it emphasizes the intricate family relationships between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Within the Kattaikkuttu repertoire these family relationships are translated into local family patterns and locally prevalent customs, thus linking the epic story to the everyday-life situations and experiences of the theatre's rural spectators.
Duryodhana lives in constant fear that the Pandavas and Draupadi somehow will survive their thirteen years in exile and return to demand their rightful share of the kingdom. Therefore, he asks his advisor Sakuni to instruct him how he can prevent this from happening.
When the Pandavas were forced into exile they were made to swear that they would never set foot into Hastinapura again during this period. If, for some reason, they would violate this condition, their period of exile would be extended with another thirteen years. Therefore, Sakuni instructs Duryodhana to have Draupadi captured and jailed in Hastinapura. That will automatically bring the Pandavas to the town, because they will try to rescue her, resulting in the extension of their exile with another thirteen years.
Sakuni advises Duryodhana to send Saindhavan (Jayadratha), the King of Sindh, on a mission to lure his 'sister' Draupadi into accompanying him to visit her sister-in-law and his wife, Duhsala. This will enable Saindhavan to kidnap her and bring her to Hastinapura. To convince Saindhavan to go to the forest and capture Draupadi, Duryodhana should promise him the sovereignty over half of his kingdom….. Duryodhana does so, but Saindhavan is not willing to believe him. How can he be sure that Duryodhana will reward him with half the kingdom when he has denied it to the Pandavas? He makes Duryodhana promise that he shall give him twenty-eight of the fifty-six countries if he accomplishes his mission successfully.
Draupadi and the Pandavas are staying in a leafy hut in the forest. Dharmar has sent away his four younger brothers to complete their morning ablutions. It takes them a long time to return and Dharmar gets worried. He goes in search of them leaving Draupadi unguarded. At that precise moment Saindhavan enters. He introduces himself as her 'older brother' emphasizing their intimate family relationship. He tells her that she should temporarily escape the hardships of life in the forest and come home with him where she can spend some time in comfort with her sister-in-law, Duhsala. Draupadi tells him that she cannot go with him without informing her husbands. Saindhavan departs, purposefully leaving behind his magic sword (mantiraval). Draupadi discovers the sword and runs after him to return it. Saindhavan captures her and carries her off on his chariot.
When Dharmar returns he discovers that Draupadi is gone. He cries out to Bhima who, hearing the fear in Dharmar's voice, turns up immediately. Dharmar apprises him of the situation. To find out what has happened Bhima takes on a fearful and enormous shape and discovers Saindhavan trying to make his escape with Draupadi. Bhima catches Saindhavan, crashes his chariot, beats him up terribly and brings him in front of Dharmar.
Upon discovering that it is Duryodhana who sent Saindhavan on this mission, Dharmar forgives and dismisses him. He orders Bhima to escort Saindhava to the outskirts of the forest, but warns him not to set foot into Hastinapura. Once outside the view of Dharmar, an angry Bhima and Arjuna shave off Saindhavan's hair to teach him a lesson. They cover his face with black and red dots, seat him on a donkey and drive him across the border into Hastinapura.
A humiliated Saindhava swears to kill Bhima. He decides to perform penance to Lord Siva in order to obtain a special garland, which he believes will help him to fulfil his vow in the future.
Tamil Nadu Kattaikkuttu Kalai Valarchi Munnetra Sangam & Kattaikkuttu Youth Theatre School
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