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The first time Koodiyattam was performed outside Kerala
was in 1962 when scholar Dr. V Raghavan of Samskrita Ranga invited Guru
Mani Madhava Chakyar to perform in Chennai. The maestro was then 63
years old. |
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Innumerable inscriptions from Chola times tell us of the philanthropy of
Devadasis. They erected new shrines, rebuilt old and crumbling ones,
plated some of the roofs with copper, gold and brass. They commissioned
master sculptors (Sthapathis) to make gold and bronze images of gods,
goddesses and saints to be installed in temples. To conduct the worship
of these images, they also gifted rice and paddy. The wealthier
Devadasis donated jewelry, lamps, plates, and bells made of solid gold
for temple service. (Lakshmi Vishwanathan, ‘Women of Pride: The Devadasi Heritage’) |
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A smile, in terms of the Natyashastra, comes under the category of Hasya
Rasa. This rasa was often portrayed by women and other characters of
lower status. The six ways of portraying the hasya rasa were listed as –
smitam – the charming smile; hasita – gentle laughter attributed to
persons of uttama or high rank; Vihasita – gentle (open) laughter or
smile; Upahasita – satirical laughter of persons coming under the
category of madhyama or middle status; Apahasita – silly and meaningless
laughter and Atihasita – loud and roaring laughter displayed by persons
of adhama or lower status. (‘A dancer’s smile’ by Aranyani Bhargav) |
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