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Prabandha Kuttu is supposed
to be done by Sutas (sutavritti) and Kudiyattam, an actor's art (natavritti).
When in olden days the kings combined these two art forms, they specifically
instructed that this temple art should not be taken out of the temple premises.
Old timers had made a rule that if such a day comes, when Kudiyattam is
performed with 'illathu kuttu' (performance in a house, i.e. outside the
temple), 'mannathi mattu' (soiled, impure clothes?), 'matampi vilakku'
(a smaller lamp), and 'asakapoovu' (Ashoka flower), then the Chakyar should
give a (last) performance for a day at Tiruvanchikkulam Temple, hang up
all the costumes in the hall (mandapa) and leave for Kasi (Benares). Such
was the purity and divinity associated with Kudiyattam.
('Kudiyattam in temples' by Ammannur
Madhava Chakyar, Nartanam, May - Aug 2008). |
