One of the features I liked in the De Vriksha play on Vikramadhtiya was the depiction of the God Ganesh. One of the screen-bearers was made to sit on a stool. His head was covered with a red towel placed vertically. The end of the towel was rolled up and held in the actors left hand like the trunk of the elephant-headed God. The towel was held in place by a head band. The right hand was raised in abhaya Mudra. All this happened right in front of the audience! Suddenly, the God was there!
This is the essence of rural art forms like koothu. No elaborate make up or costumes are needed. In a matter of minutes, a well known villager becomes a divine being Vinayaka!
As the Kattiyakkaran elaborates, Ganesha is such an easy God to make…and break! This scene also had a social comment about how the very same idols of the God Ganesh which are worshipped one day are rudely and irreverently broken and thrown in the sea the next. The symbolism of Avahan and yatasthan prathishtam are violated so crassly by our over-zealous brethren!
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