KOODIYATTAM

Koodiyattam

• One of the most ancient living theatrical traditions from Kerala.

• Antiquity of Koodiyattam goes to 10 the century A.D.

• King Kulasekhara Varma structured this art and
employed his own Sanskrit plays Tapatisamvaranam
& Subhadradhananjayam for the repertory.

• Koodiyattam finds its expression in ‘Koottambalam’ which means auditorium.

• Practiced and propagated by the Chakkiar community (also known by the name – Chakkiar Kootu).

• Women and men participate.
• Inspiration from the classics of Natyasastra, Kalidasa, Bhasa, Sriharsha,
Pallava Mahendra Varms, Kulasekhara, Saktibhadra etc.

Performance:

• Stage adoption is elaborate • Koodiyattam adheres to the acting technique elaborately described in Bharata’s Natyasastra, the basic book of Indian Dance.

• Also follow the stage manuals:
Attaprakaram, Karma Dipika, Hastalakshana Dipika etc.

• Costume: semi realistic and the stage mannerisms
are highly stylized.

• Orchestra: Cymbals, idakkai and a unique percussion instrument ‘milavu’ and flute – the Nangyars (women) sing while the Nambiyars (male) play the instruments.

• Characters
 Chakyaar – actor
 Naambiyaar – instrumentalists
 Naangyaar – women’s roles
 Sutradhar – narrator
 Vidushak or jesters – protagonists
 Vidushak alone delivers the dialogues
• Even single acts of plays are treated as full-fledged plays and are subjected to an elaborate method of acting.

• There is a wide emphasis on hand gestures and eye movements – makes this dance and theatre form unique.

• Performance language: Sanskrit, Prakrit,classical Malayalam.

• Chanting and singing of Koodiyattam resembles the Vedic chanting tradition
of Kerala.

• Songs are set to several ancient ragas.

• Need for proactive intervention from the
Government.

• Krishnattam and Kathakali draw heavily fro Koodiyatam.

• Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO along with Mudiyettu.