Kuttampalam, Theatre Auditorium - Informative & researched article on Kuttampalam, Theatre Auditorium
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Indian Purans


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine
Indian Purans : Mahabharata l Ramayana l Bhagavad Gita l Indian Mythological Places l Puranic Deities of India l Indian Folktales l Epic Age In India l Indian Fables l Garuda Purana l Harivamsa Parva l Vishnu Purana l Padma Purana l Markandeya Purana l Vamana Purana l Brahma Purana l Matsya Purana l Linga Purana l Shiva Purana l Skanda Purana l Agni Purana l Kurma Purana l Agneya Purana l Vayu Purana
Home > Reference > Indian Purans > Indian Puranas > Classification of Puranas > Bhagavata Purana > Kuttampalam
Kuttampalam, Theatre Auditorium
Kuttampalam is the traditional auditorium for the performance of Kutiyattam and Kuttu in Kerala.

Kuttampalam, Theatre AuditoriumKuttampalam is the auditorium for the performance of Kutiyattam and Kuttu. It is built within temple complexes but outside the wooden temple barricade. Like the shrine, it is treated as a sacred space. Its architecture adapts the stipulations in the Natyosostm to local conditions. The entire gabled rectangular structure is elevated on sole and its superstructure of trellised wooden frames often has a door on each of its four sides. The large copper-plated or terracotta-tiled roof is supported on rows of pillars that are sometimes highly carved. In the central ridge at the top are three ornate finials each with a lotus bud, a symbol of auspiciousness. As one enters can see the space bisected roughly into halves. There is an open seating space and a square stage at one end, which faces the deity. The platform is ornate that rose on a plinth, and has a pillar at each corner supporting the stage roof. The Vatakkunnathan kuttampalam in Thrissur is the largest of these structures. It is 22 m by 15 m. This has three pillars near each corner of the stage, supporting a double ceiling. Possibly 1200 years old, it has a capacity of about 500. The lower face of the stage ceiling is carved with scenes from the epics and Bhagavata Pumna. In its centre is sculpted what Bharata calls the Brahma-mandala. This is a square containing nine squares, in which are installed the Ashtadigpalas i.e. guardian deities of the eight directions with Lord Brahma presiding in the central square as creator of the natyaveda. The carvings serve an acoustic purpose too. Wooden rafters and beams support the outer roof. In the back wall are two doors, one for entries of characters and the other for exits, behind which lies the dressing room. Two mizhavu copper pots held in frames stand between the doors. An over 1 m-tall bronze lamp, the nilavilakku, provides lighting. Of its three wicks, two point toward the actor and one toward the audience. However, the spectators squat in front of the stage as well as on the sides.

There is one Kuttampalam present at Irinjalakuda, in Thrissur district. This one measures 20 m by 16 m, and the one is present in Guruvayur i.e. Malappuram district. This one measures 10 m by 7 m, its stage covering only 9 sq. m. as well.

(Last Updated on : 29/03/2010)
  More Articles in Bhagavata Purana
 
Swayambhu Sridhara Swami Prahlada
Anuhlada Araga Bhanu
Bharika Bhrami Moha
Chitraketu Devasavarni Kuttampalam
Hiranyaretas Kavi, Son Of Priyavrata Dis
Pavaka and Pavamana Idhmajihwa Iravati
Jambavati Karmosa  
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Purans
  • Characters in Ramayana
    Characters in Ramayana are beautifully portrayed and are meaningfully interwoven with each other. The characters facilitate to carry the tale forward towards the conclusion.
  •  
  • Death of Lord Krishna
    Death of Lord Krishna occurred by a hunter’s accidental shot. The misunderstanding aroused in Mahabharata as Krishna used to keep a peacock feather on his head.
  •  
     
  • Sumitra
    Sumitra was the third wife of King Dasaratha in Ramayana and a queen of Ayodhya. She was the mother of twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
  •  
  • Arjuna
    Arjuna was the third of the five Pandava brothers. Arjuna, the son of Pandu and Kunti, was known to be a master archer and a great warrior.
  •  
  • Gopal Bhar
    Gopal Bhar was a legendary court jester in medieval Bengal. He was jester in the court of Raja Krishnachandra, king of Nadia during the 18th Century AD.
  •  
    E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
    RSS Feeds
    Forum
    Forum on Indian Purans

    Free E-magazine
    Subscribe to Free
    E-Magazine on Indian Crafts
     
     
    Kuttampalam, Theatre Auditorium - Informative & researched article on Kuttampalam, Theatre Auditorium
    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.