Koodiyattam

Koodiyattam is the oldest among the existing classical theatre forms in world. It is a 2000 year old tradition of enacting Sanskrit dramas through dance. Koodiyatam has its origins in the temples of ancient Kerala where the art was consecrated to appease the Gods. Thus, many temples in Kerala have a dance antechamber with sloping roof also known as the Koothambalam. The word Koodiyattam literally means "acting together".

The Exponent:
Koodiyattam in the present form was propounded by Kulasekhara Varma Cheraman Perumal, an ancient King of Kerala. In his book "Aattaprakaram", the king describes the various panoramas of the art. This is virtually considered the text on the art form. It is based on "Natyashasthram" by Sage Bharatha.

The Performers:
As opposed to other art forms, women played the female parts in Koodiyattam. Traditionally, the male characters in a Kooditayyam were played by "Chakyars", the men of a sub caste of Kerala Hindus. They styled themselves the Ambalavasi ("temple dwellers") as they were the elite group of temple servants. The female roles were played by "Nangyars" i.e. women of Nambiar caste. The name 'Koodiyattam' acting together or combined dance is used because it is a combined effort by the Chakkyar and the Nangyar. The Performance: The chief musical accompaniment is the mizhavu or a form of drums played by the Nambiyars. Besides providing percussion and beats, these drums heighten the dramatic effect and set the ambience. Sometimes a Nangyar sings the important verses while the Chakyar lady plays on small bell-metal cymbals (kuzhithalam). The Idakka, the Kuzhal and the Sankha are optional accompaniments.

The stage is decorated with plantain bunches and coconuts. Festoons of palm leaves are hung and the traditional Nilavilakku (brass oil lamp) is light. A Koodiyattam performance takes place by night and may go on for days and even weeks. It may take up to 20 days to enact a single act of a Koodiyattam play. The performance goes on for about 5 hours a day form around 10 pm to 3 am. As the script unfolds the performers elaborate on it by recounting anecdotes (Nirvahana).Satire and insinuations form a part of the social relevance of the plays. Contemporary political, Philosophical and Social trends are fearlessly commented upon. The only character who speaks is the Jester or the Vidhushaka. He translates the Sanskrit Text in Malayalam and his monologue is steeped in irony, humor and witty remarks. Thus he spans the gap between the actors and the audience.

Koodiyattam is based on a highly developed mime language. Great emphasis is laid on facial and eye expressions, and hasta mudras (hand gestures). Angikam, Vachikam, Sathvikam and Aharyam, he four types of Abhinaya are highly emphasized in Koodiyattom. Elaborate costumes and extensive use of colors heightens the spectacular effect.

Contemporary Koodiyattam:
Soorpanakhangam Koodiyattam and Jatayuvadham Koodiyattam are two popular Koodiyattams performed. Late Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padmasree Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar has done much to popularize the art form and generate an interest in it among the younger generations. So much so that he took it upon himself to teach Koodiyattam to members of the non-Chakyar castes too. His disciple Mani Damodara Chakyar is also a famous Koodiyattam performerand has claimed considerable renown. Koodiyattam had slowly been sinking into oblivion as an art form and art connoisseurs and artist alike were losing their interest in this ancient performing art. However, UNESCO has deemed Koodiyattam a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'. Besides, being the is the only art form in the world which is 2000 years old, Koodiyattam has recently generated a lot of pursuit globally. Every year Koodiyattam is still performed at the Koodal Manickyam temple at Irinjalakkuda and the Vadakkumnatha temple at Thrissur.