Sri Pannissery Nanu Pillai has composed four Attakathas: Nizhalkuttu, Bhadrakalivijayam, Padukapattabhishekam and Sankaravijayam. Kathakaliprakaram is a theoretical text for Kathakali written by him. He has authored many books on spiritual topics.
Shri Nanu Pillai composed Nizhalkuttu Attakatha, based on Mavaratam
Nizhalkuttu, an oral Mahabharata story popular in South Kerala. The
ritual of Nizhalkuttu Pattu used to be performed in Hindu homes for
removal of evil effects of abhichara act. To perform and take
part in this ritual was considered as auspicious. Sri Nanu Pillai aptly
selected a popular Keralite story for Kathakali, a Keralite art. Sri
Nanu Pillai envisaged that performance of Nizhalkuttu Kathakali will
also be considered as an auspicious act as the ritual [1].
[1] Nizhalkuttu Attakatha, Pannissery Nanu Pillai, preface (pages 6
to 8). Published by Pannissery Srinivasa Kurup, 2nd Edition, (1978).
(Duryodhanan comes to know from Sakuni about Bharata Malayan who is proficient in performing various abhichara acts including Nizhalkuttu (Shadow Piercing). Duryodhanan sends a messenger secretly to bring Bharata Malayan to kill Pandavas by performing Nizhalkuttu.)
In the first scene, the messenger returns and informs Duryodhanan that Bharata Malayan is presently observing a vow. After completion of the vow, Bharata Malayan will meet Duryodhanan after two days. Duryodhanan sends the messenger to ask Trigarttan, a subordinate King to come and meet him.
Scene 2 Trigarttan (Thiranottam - Thantetattam)
(Trigarttan remembers that he owes all his wealth and prosperity to Duryodhanan. The messenger conveys Duryodhanan's message to Trigarttan to go to Hastinapura and meet Duryodhanan. Trigarttan proceeds to meet Duryodhanan)
Scene 3 Duryodhanan, Trigarttan
Trigarttan comes and meets Duryodhanan. Duryodhanan informs Trigarttan that he has tried many things to harm the Pandavas. So far nothing has succeeded. Based on the advice of Sakuni, Duryodhanan has asked Bharata Malayan, a performer of abhichara act, to come and meet him. Trigarttan should first test him and let him enter only after he is satisfied and convinced about his abilities. Accordingly Trigarttan stands guard at the entrance of the fort.
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Scene 4 Bharata Malayan, Malayatti, Son
In the forest, Bharata Malayan's wife (Malayatti) and son wait for his arrival. Bharata Malayan enters and asks about their well being. He says that he has to go and meet King Duryodhanan as per the message received. The wife hands over an elephant's tusk and honey as presents to the King. After praying to the gods, she sends her husband off with the palm leaves (containing mantras) and other accessories required for performing abhichara acts. As he proceeds, she calls him back. Since 'calling back' is considered as inauspicious, Bharata Malayan is angry. But the wife tells him that she wanted to ask him to meet Kunti and Pandavas when he returns from Hastinapura. (The wife is a devotee of Krishna and a well wisher of the Pandavas). She wishes all good to her husband and sends him off again.
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Trigarttan stands guard at the entrance. Bharata Malayan tries to enter the fort. Trigarttan stops him. Bharata Malayan informs him that he has been invited by the King. Still Trigarttan does not yield. Performing some minor magic acts, Bharata Malayan makes Trigarttan immobile After some time, Malayan makes Trigarttan come back to normalcy, by withdrawing the magical power. Now, Trigarttan comes to know about the ability of Malayan. By satisfying himself about the powers of Malayan, Trigarttan allows him to enter the fort, with respect.
Bharata Malayan is impressed by the sights inside the fort. He thinks that it is not proper to meet the King in his tribal appearance. He proceeds in the form of a Mantrikan.
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Scene 6 Mantrikan, Duryodhanan, Parikarmi (servant)
Mantrikan enters and hands over the presents to Duryodhanan. Duryodhanan asks the Mantrikan to kill the Pandavas by performing Nizhalkuttu (Shadow Piercing). Duryodhanan is ready to offer half of his kingdom for doing this. The Mantrikan is shocked to hear Duryodhanan's demand. He informs Duryodhanan that both Kauravas and Pandvas are kings for him. There is no difference. Besides this, Lord Narayanan in the form of Sri Krishnan is there to protect Pandavas. Hence he cannot even think of doing this evil act. Duryodhanan is angry. He threatens to kill the Mantrikan if he does not obey him. The Mantrikan is in a dilemma. To escape, he asks him to organize a list of things (such as the sun, moon, darkness, elephant's egg, etc.) which are impossible to get. Duryodhanan is enraged and draws his sword to kill the Mantrikan. The Mantrikan agrees to perform Nizhalkuttu using the items arranged by Duryodhanan.
Duryodhanan orders a servant (Parikarmi) to bring all items. The Mantrikan performs the Nizhalkuttu act. He invokes the shadows of Pandavas to appear in the magical mirror. The shadows do not appear. The Mantrikan is worried that if, his 'abhichara' act goes in vain, the King will kill him. He earnestly prays the gods and the shadows appear. But along with Pandavas, Krishnan's shadow is also present. Knowing this, Duryodhanan asks the Mantrikan to kill Krishnan also. Mantrikan does not agree. He removes Krishnan's shadow by offering blood (by cutting off a finger from the hand of the servant) and continues the elaborate ritual. Possessed by the evil forces and in a state of ecstacy, Mantrikan kills the Pandavas by piercing their shadows with a knife which was duly worshipped in the ritual. In the end, the Mantrikan loses his senses and falls down. By re-gaining his senses, he repents realizing his evil act. Duryodhanan is happy. He gives many gifts to Mantrikan. But the Mantrikan asks for half the kingdom as promised in the beginning. But Duryodhanan drives him away.
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Scene 7 Bharata Malayan, Malayatti, Son
The Mantrikan returns to his home as Bharata Malayan. His wife is puzzled to see her husband arriving with lots of gifts, but sad. She asks him the reason for his sadness. He says that on his return, he saw a doe and her five kids and for fun he killed the five kids of the doe by an abhichara act. He became sad due to the sorrow of the mother. The wife suspects that something is wrong. She compels him to tell her the truth. Then he reveals that, to save his own life he was forced by Duryodhanan to kill the Pandavas by shadow piercing. The wife is shocked to hear this. She behaves like a mad woman and throws away the gifts brought by her husband. She loses her mental balance. She kills her son by tearing his legs apart so that her husband will also experience the sorrow of Pandava's mother, Kunti. Seeing her hands dripping with blood of her own son, she shouts aloud. Her husband is shell shocked to see the horrible act of his wife. He falls down losing his senses. The wife rushes to meet Kunti.
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Scene 8 Kunti, Krishnan, Malayatti, Son
Kunti is shocked by the death of her sons, the five Pandavas. She prays to Krishnan to save her children. Krishnan appears and makes the Pandavas live again. The wife of Bharata Malayan comes running. She says that she has punished her husband for his evil act by killing her own son. She begs Krishnan and Kunti to pardon her husband since he was forced to do this by Duryodhanan. Krishnan says that he does have anything against Bharata Malayan since it was Duryodhanan who made him to do so. Krishnan comforts her and makes her son live again. Paying respects to Krishnan, Kunti and Pandavas, the wife of Bharata Malayan returns to her home with her son.
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Dhanasi - Krishnan
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