Legacy woven in words and melody: A young girl's journey into the heart of 'Kadhaprasangam'

For Diya Sunil, a young girl from Kasargod, the Kerala State Kalolsavam 2025 may have marked her debut, but her passion for storytelling runs far deeper than her years. When Diya took the stage as the lead storyteller/performer, it was a moment rich with the legacy of generations past. Her debut was not just a personal milestone but the continuation of a family tradition that began with her grandfather, T.J. Joseph, whose heart has long resonated with the art of Kadhaprasangam.

Kadhaprasangam, a traditional art form in Kerala with a history spanning over a century, is as rich and profound as the stories it conveys. It was first introduced by C.A. Sathyadevan, an Alappuzha native, in the Kerala calendar year of Kollavarsham 1099.

This ancient form of storytelling combines drama and music, with performers delivering the narrative through dramatic dialogue, interwoven with soulful songs. The fusion of spoken word and melody has always deeply resonated with audiences, drawing them into the emotional heart of the tale.

For Diya, however, this art form is not merely a hobby or something she stumbled upon; it’s an inseparable thread in the fabric of her upbringing. From a young age, the powerful storytelling of Kadhaprasangam—its captivating blend of drama and song—has been an integral part of her life.

Her grandfather, who has nurtured this tradition in their family, planted the seed of love for this art in Diya’s heart, just as he did with her father and aunt years before. Her aunt has also participated at the state-level Kalolsavam under the guidance of her grandfather.

T.J. Joseph has written the script for the performance that Diya brings to life on stage—one that weaves a tale of love, tragedy, and the resilience of the human spirit, set against the backdrop of the Wayanad landslides. A Muslim man and a Hindu woman, both teachers, fall in love amid familial opposition, and their lives become intertwined with the devastation caused by nature's wrath.

As Diya steps into the spotlight, every word she utters, every pause she takes, and every powerful lyric she sings seems to echo the cries of the people affected by the disaster. The audience is drawn in, captivated by her depth of emotion and her ability to transport them into the world of her characters, leaving them on the edge of their seats.

Diya fondly recalls how her grandfather’s influence permeated her upbringing. "My grandfather fed a deep love for Kadhaprasangam not just in my father and aunt, but in me as well. As a retired Malayalam teacher from my school, he has been writing scripts for many years now. Acting is all that he thinks about," she says, her eyes gleaming with pride.

As Diya takes to the stage, her younger sister Diva watches with admiration. "I love watching my sister perform," Diva confides with a grin. Furthermore, the younger sister is all set to perform the same evocative script at her upcoming school annual day.

Diya's family(From left: her mother, grandfather TJ Joseph, herself, younger sister Diva and father Sunil)

For the Sunil family, the art of storytelling doesn't stop there. The family is a tapestry of artists, all united by their love for this ancient form. Diya’s cousins have also followed in the family’s footsteps, performing in Kadhaprasangam or Monoact. "We are all connected to this art," Diya says with a smile. "I’ve done Monoact before, but this time, I wanted to focus all my energy on Kadhaprasangam."

Kadhaprasangam performance of Diya's team on stage

T.J. Joseph, now a proud grandfather, looks on with a sense of fulfillment. "I’ve always been fascinated by Kadhaprasangam," he reflects, his voice warm with nostalgia. "When I was young, I would watch performances in public places, mesmerized by the way stories came to life through music and dialogue. I was deeply passionate about singing at the time, but I lacked the confidence to just sing on stage for an entire performance. Kadhaprasangam, however, offers a mix of everything, so it felt more appealing to me. I’m happy to see this tradition continue for generations after me."

TJ Joseph performing Kadhaprasangam on-stage with his son Sunil playing the instrument

Diya’s mother, a former Monoact performer, is another pillar of support in this artistic journey. The family is united in their love for performance, and their home often rings with the sound of dramatic conversations, where dialogue is exchanged with the flair and expression that could rival any stage performance. "We are all performers in one way or another," says Diya with a smile.

Kadhaprasangam, however, faces challenges in today’s world, with shifting entertainment preferences, a decline in live performances, and a generational gap in interest. The rise of digital media has led younger audiences to gravitate toward faster, more visually stimulating content, leaving fewer people attending live performances.

But the art form continues to thrive in the hands of people like Diya, who is more than capable of carrying the torch forward and preserving its beauty and power for generations to come.

As Diya stands on stage, her eyes filled with determination and passion, she is not just a performer—she is a living bridge between the past and the future, connecting her grandfather's legacy to the next generation.