Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam is a traditional performing artform from Kerala, India. Recognised by UNESCO as a Human Heritage Art, this form of Sanskrit drama is considered to be at least 2000 years old. Kulasekhara Varma Cheraman Perumal, an ancient King of Kerala is known as the creator of Koodiyattam in the present form, and his Aattaprakaram is considered as the most authoritative publication on the art form.
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Chakyar and Nangyaramma
Traditionally, Koodiyattam has been presented by Chakyars.[1] The name Koodiyattam as its name suggests is a combined performance of Chakyar and Nangyar. Traditionally Mizhavu, a special percussion instrument was the only instrument used in Koodiyattam performances. Off late Edakka, another traditional drum has also been used as accompaniment. Chakyar is the main actor who performs the ritualistic Koothu and Koodiyattam inside the temple or in the Koothambalam. Their women ,Illotammas are not allowed to participate. The female roles are done by ladies of Nambiar community called Nangyaramma.Traditionally, a person belonging to Nambiar plays the Mizhavu. Nangyaramma accompany Nambiar with kuzhithalam(a type of cymbal).
Artists
Late Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padmasree Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar has been the face of this art form to the modern world. He was the actor of supreme kind famous for his extra ordinary mastery over Rasa Abhinaya with special reference to Netrābhinaya. He has played a leading part in taking this traditional art form out of Koothambalam of Hindu temples and popularising it among masses. He performed all over India with his troop. He was the first one to teach Koodiyattam to non Chakyar caste members. He has choreographed and directed plays like Kalidasa's Abhijñānaśākuntala, Vikramorvaśīya and Mālavikāgnimitra ; Bhasa's Swapnavāsadatta and Pancharātra for the first time in the history of Koodiyattam.
His disciple and nephew Mani Damodara Chakyar is also a renowned Koodiyattam performer, who is an exponent of traditional devotional Koodiyattams, such as Anguliyanka, Mattavilasa Prahasana, Mantranka, Ezhamanka (seventh act of Ascharyachoodamani).
Related literature and books
Nātya Shāstra by Bharata Muni is a good reference to the acting nuances which is common also to Kudiyattom . Natyakalpadrumam (1975) is the authoritative and scholarly award (Kerala Sahitya Academy Award) winning book written on Koodiyattam written by Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar. This master treatise is considered as the reference to the subject by scholars.
References
- Natyakalpadrumam, by Mani Madhava Chakyar,1975.
See also
External links
- Kutiyattam - Sanskrit Theater of India (Multimedia CD) by Dr.Farley Richmond
- Data Bank on Traditional performances of Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi
- more on the subject
- Cyberkerala Koodiyattam Page
- Mykerala Koodiyattam Page
- order Natyakalpadrumam
Footnotes
Categories
Hindu traditions | Kerala | Performing arts in India | Dances of India | Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity