Koodiattam:

Kerala's cultural heritage

By Subashini Pathmanathan

Koodiattam is an ancient popular dance of Kerala. It originated in Kerala of South India. It is based on Sanskrit drama. It is the oldest art form which has a long history. Koodiattam is performed by a group of people. Originally it was performed by the Chakyar community which believed that theirs was the duty to preserve this century-old traditional art form. The community performed at the temples. The word 'Koodiyattam' means combined or a group dance performance.

The instruments used are the Kuzhitalam, Etakka, Kurumkuzhal and Conch. They were played by members of the Nambiyar caste. They sat on the left side of the stage. At present many of the Chakyar community have given up the profession.

A scene from Koodiattam

The theme of the Koodiyattam was written in Sanskrit. It was associated with religious and ritual factors. Earlier it was held at the Koothamplam in the temple premises. The ancient Koothampalam Sanskrit drama hall was decorated with a variety of fruits, coconuts and plantain trees and leaves. The drama took place continuously for 41 days. Koodiyattam provides more scope for facial expressions and hand gestures.

Origin

All the four different categories of Abhinayas are used in Koodiyattam. Angika Abhinaya means the Abhinaya through Angas (organs). Vachika Abhinaya means the interpretation of the song. Sathvika Abhinaya means the emotional involvement of the dancer with the dance. Similarly, Akariya Abhinaya means costumes and dresses used in Koodiyattam. The verses of Koodiyattam is in Mani Pravala Nadai. This is a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam.

Koodiyattam and Chakayar Koothu were originated in Kerala. Certain inscriptions of Tamil Nadu that mention Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu. Koodiattam had its origin in the 10th century A.D. Some measures were taken to reform it by Kulasekara Varma. The word Koodiyattam has a history of over 1,000 years.

Earlier Koodyiattam was performed by traditional male dancers Chakair. The female members of the Chakaiyar clan did not perform the Koodyiattam. But the Chakayar performed Koodyiattam along with the females of another caste known as the Ambalavasi Nambiar caste. In Koodyiattam the females were allowed to participate in the performances and to play the cymbals.

Koodyiattam is performed by a lot of performers together on the stage. The accompanying drum beats of the performances are known as Mizhan.

Divisions

Koodiyattam was divided into three main divisions. In Purapadu the dancer performs a verse along with pure Nirtha. Following the purapadu another portion called Nir vahana takes place, where the performers add Abhinaya to the performance. Through the Abhinaya portion the performers mobilise or attract the audience.

The final portion of Koodiyattam is the play. Later the Chakyar community generally taught this to their younger generation.

In the mid_1950s, Koodiyattam performances started taking place outside the temple. Mani Madhava Chakyar was the first to introduce Koodiyattam to the outside world despite criticism and stiff resistance. In 1962 Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar performed Koodiyattam outside the Kerala soil. By doing so, he popularised the art form throughout India.

His first performance took place in Delhi and Benaris in the 1960s.He impressed the audience and critics by his exceptional talents of Bhava, Rasa and Abhinayas. He firmly adhered to the Natya Sastra tradition. Some of his outstanding creations were Abhiseka, Subhadradhananjaya and Naganda.

In 1964 the Sangeet Natak Academy Awarded an Award for his outstanding contribution to Koodiattam. The former President of India S. Radhakrishnan invited him to perform the Koodiyattam at the Rashtapathi Bhavan in 1964.

He was not only a mere performer but was also a scholar.

He delivered lectures and conducted demonstrations all over India. Some of the remarkable places where his lectures took place were the Madras Music Academy in Chennai, National Centre for the Performing Arts in Bombay and the International Centre for Kathakali in New Delhi.

Another outstanding Guru of the Koodiyattam was Padma Bhushan Ammannur Madhava Chakyar. He was one of the outstanding dancers

who performed outside India and popularised the art form to the international community. Guru Padma Bhushan Ammannur Madhava Chakyar was responsible for introducing the aesthetic value of Koodiyattam to the world.

Another outstanding guru was Raman Chakyar. He was one of the first teachers at Kerala Kalamandram to teach Chakai Koothu. He took efforts to revive the Chakai Koothu and Koodiattam. He went all over the western world and presented remarkable shows including the 2nd Act of Sakunthalam, 3rd Act of Nagananda and Ascharyachoodamani.

To any performing art the guru should be a performing artiste and mentor. In all of his shows he played the important role and presented more than 1,000 shows and played different roles. He did a documentary film on Koodiattam in 1974. Because of such untiring efforts today the Koodiattam enjoys an important place in the cultural map of India.