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Home >> About Kerala >> Arts and Culture of Kerala

Arts & Culture - Kerala 

Koodiyattam

Koodiyattam,  the sole surviving classical Sanskrit theatre has recently won the UNESCO’s recognition as an illustrious example manifesting intangible human heritage.  It is a two thousand year old theatre-tradition.  Traditionally Koothu and Koodiyattam are the privilege of the temple castes known as  Chakyars and Nambiars.  Chakyars enact the male-characters and Nangiars (the women of the Nambiars) enact the female-characters.  Nambiars play Mizhaavu, the major percussion-instrument in Koodiyattam. The plays of Kulasekhara, Sakthibhadra, Bhasa, Kalidasa and Bodhayana are presented  act by act in Koodiyattam.  The four-fold concept of acting dealt with in the Naatyasaastra, sage Bharata's ancient treatise on dramaturgy, find its due significance in Koodiyattam.  Aamgika (hand-gestures and body-movements), vaacika (spoken word or verbal acting), aahaarya (make-up and costuming) and saatvika (expression of emotions) in Koodiyattam are highly stylized.  One finds in Koodiyattam more of naatyadharmi (stylized acting) compared to other classical art-forms.  

Apart from the epic heroes, heroines, villains and demonesses there is the Vidooshaka (Royal clown) who speaks three languages, Sanskrit, Prakrit (Crude form of Sanskrit), and the local dialect (Malayalam).  His words and actions convincingly portray the true-character of the protagonist.  In the past he was a social auditor.  His diatribes against the establishment and those in power were a corrective force in the feudal-society.  The main characters in Koodiyattam customarily enact 'Nirvahana'; a recollection of past events in the play to form a backdrop for stepping into the present. 

 Nangiarkoothu brings to the forefront a female character, played by a dansuese. From the broader perspective of the Chakyar-arts It is  essentially the debut or nirvahana of the female character.  Nangiar in forty one days enacts Sreekrishna Caritam (The story of Lord Krishna).  She appears on stage as the ceed i(maid) of Subhadra (Krishna’s sister) in the play,  Subhadraadhananjayam of king Kulasekhara.  Theatre artists, choreographers and theatre researchers in different parts of the world  evince  keen interest in the aesthetic-dimensions of both Koodiyattam and Nangiarkoothu.  They come quite often to Kalamandalam for an intimate observation and analysis of these theatre traditions.

Arts & Dance - Kerala

Koodiyattam || Mohiniyattam || Velakali || Thiruvathirakali || Kaliyoottu

Kanniyarkali || Kavadiyattam || Kolkali || Kalaripayattu

  Bharathanatyam