Thara Varma is one of the most gifted dancers in the country today. She carved a niche for herself with her artistic prowess in Kathakali, at a time when women were confined within the four walls of their home. Varma began to learn Kathakali, a predominantly male art form, around 50 years ago, when she was all of nine. This was the time when even female characters were being portrayed by men. “It has been a tough journey,” she tells mid-day. Things changed in 1975, with the foundation of the Tripunithura Kathakali Kendram Ladies Troupe in Ernakulum, Kerala. “From helpers and makeup artists in the green room to actors and those playing chenda and maddalam [vital and heavy instruments with leather cover on either sides played in Kathakali orchestra], every role was played by a woman. I became part of this highly-skilled group. It has been an absolute honour,” Varma, now 59, tells us.

Last week, for the first time in its 90-year history, Kerala Kalamandalam, the premiere public institution in the country for the preservation and promotion of Kerala’s traditional performing arts, admitted girl students to learn Kathakali. Varma, who now resides in Thane, couldn’t have been happier. “When I was learning Kathakali, one could only perform in temples. But, menstruating women were not allowed there. So girls like me had to find other ways to continue their passion.”
She remembers how only male dancers performed at the Kerala Kalamandalam. “Performances would begin late in the night and end the next morning. Women didn’t feel safe to participate, nor were they able to lift and play heavy instruments after a point.”