Practised and preserved by the Chakyar community in
Kerala, Koodiyattam is the oldest surviving link with ancient Sanskrit
theatre. A precursor of Kathakali drama, Koodiyattam has several
conventions which reflect the aesthetic conventions of the Natyashastra.
The stylised mode of acting, the same character playing different
roles, the use of the spoken word akin to chanting, stories within
stories, flash backs, improvisations, eye expressions (netrabhinaya), an
extensive gesture vocabulary or 'hastas', body movements (angika
abhinaya) and facial expressions (mukhajabhinaya), the use of Sanskrit
by the main character and Malayalam by the court jester or vidushaka who
comments, satirizes and ridicules the protagonists... these are the
salient features of Koodiyattam.
Performances are traditionally held in the Koothambalam which are
special theatres attached to temples. The Sanskrit play selected for the
performance usually takes over several days. Female dancers called
Nangiars deliver the invocatory songs and also participate. The use of
the tirashila or curtain, different colours for the face to depict
characters and elaborate ornaments are all similar to Kathakali. The
mizhavu is a special drum used as an accompaniment for Koodiyattam
performances.
The repertoire consists of Sanskrit dramas like Ascharyachudamani of
Shaktibadra, Subhadradhananjeyan of Kulasekara Varman, Abhisekha Nataka
and Swapnavasavadatta of Bhasa, Kalyana Saugandhikam of Mahendra Vikrama
and Bhagavadajjukiyam of Bodhayana which are the popular favourites.
With disciplined and dedicated performers like Ammanur Madhava Chakyar,
Kocchukuttan Chakyar and Kitangur Kuttappan Chakyar, this ancient
classical form has a growing legion of students and afficionados in
India and elsewhere.
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