Koodiyattam - Informative & researched article on Koodiyattam
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Indian Drama & Theatre


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine
Indian Drama & Theatre : Indian Drama l Indian Theatre l Personalities In Indian Theater l Forms of Indian theatre l Indian Theatre Companies l Regional theatre in India l Indian Theatre Stages l Indian Theatre Schools l Indian Comedy and Humor l Indian Theatre Characters l Famous Plays in Indian theatre l History Of Indian Theatre l Mukhachhadanam l Abhinaya l Alkap l Bandi Pethir l Ankiya Nat l Bhaoriya l Kurattiyattam l Shadow Theatre l Shumang Lila l Swang
Home > Movies & Entertainment > Indian Drama & Theatre > Forms of Indian theatre > Classical Indian Dance Drama > Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam is a type of Sanskrit theatre that is basically performed in Kerala in the Hindu Temples.

Kutiyattam and Kuttu, Indian Theatre FormKoodiyattam is performed in Sanskrit Language and is around two thousand years old. This word means collective enactment. However its origin is shrouded in mystery. This is also mentioned in Sangam literature as well as in certain ancient epigraphs. It is believed that Kulasekhara Varman Cheraman Perumal, an ancient king of tamil chera dynasty, reformed Koodiyattam by introducing the local language for Vidusaka as well as structured the presentation of the play to well defined units.

He wrote two plays, Subhadraharana and Tapatisamvarana and they were staged too. The plays that are presented include Ascaryacudamani of Saktibhadra, Kalyanasaugandhika of Nilakantha, Bhagavadajjuka of Bodhayana, Nagananda of Harsa. Many other plays which are ascribed to Bhasa including Abhiseka and Pratima are also staged. Koodiyattam was performed in special designed temples called koothambalams.

Instruments used in Koodiyattam
The traditional, the main musical instruments used in Koodiyattam are Mizhavu, Kuzhitalam, Etakka, Kurumkuzhal and Sankhu. Mizhavu is a percussion instrument that is played by a person of the Ambalavas Nambiar caste. It is accompanied by Nangyaramma playing the kuzhithalam.

Performance style of Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam has been performed traditionally by Chakyars and by Nangyaramma. The name suggests a combined performance of Chakyar and Nangyar. Chakyar is the main actor who performs the ritualistic Koodiyattam inside the Koothambalam. Female roles are done only by women in Kutiyattam.

It was a practice that elders of the Chakyar community taught it to the youngsters of that community. In 1955 Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar first performed Koodiyattam outside the temple. He wanted the art to survive thereby took it outside the temple precincts. He also performed outside Kerala and made the art popular.

Famous Artists of Koodiyattam
The late Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shree Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar has been the best-known artist of Koodiyattam. He was known for Rasa Abhinaya. He had also adopted and directed many plays which include plays such as Kalidasa`s The Recognition of Sakuntala, Vikramorvasiya and Malavikagnimitra; Bhasa`s Swapnavasadatta and Pancharatra. His disciple and nephew Mani Damodara Chakyar is also a Koodiyattam performer. He has performed Koodiyattams like Anguliyanka, Mattavilasa, Mantranka, Ezhamanka.

(Last Updated on : 19/08/2011)
  More Articles in Classical Indian Dance Drama
 
Classical Indian musical theatre Kalapam Talamaddale
Krishnattam Koodiyattam Ramanattam
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Drama & Theatre
  • History of Indian Drama
    History of Indian Drama is enriched with Vedas and epics of the Vedic period and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
  •  
  • Elements of Drama
    Elements of Drama comprise of several features like theme, audience, dialogues, stagecraft, convention, music, characters, and dramatic structure. All these elements enhance the entire production.
  •  
     
  • Indian Drama
    Indian Drama is one of the oldest forms of art that had originated from the epics and Puranas and includes famous plays like Kalidasa’s Shakuntala.
  •  
  • Theatre Actresses in Colonial Period
    Theatre actresses in Bengal during the colonial period mainly were foreign actresses. However at a later stage, Bengali women also participated in theatres.
  •  
  • Sobha Naidu
    Sobha Naidu is a Kuchipudi actress born in 1956 in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
  •  
    E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
    RSS Feeds
    Forum
    Forum on Indian Drama & Theatre

    Free E-magazine
    Subscribe to Free
    E-Magazine on Indian Crafts
     
     
    Koodiyattam - Informative & researched article on Koodiyattam
    Sitemap
    Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
    Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.