Koodiyattom

29 Oct 2024 15:11:17 pm

Tags : Koodiyattom

Topic: Dance forms

Why in the news?

Cholliyattom, a collective of young Koodiyattom artists in Kerala, which was launched on a modest note during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now evolved into a platform where artistes following different styles come together to preserve the art form and also to impart knowledge about techniques followed by different Koodiyattom schools in the State.

Source: The Hindu

About Koodiyattom:

It is one of the oldest traditional theatre forms of Kerala and is based on Sanskrit theatre traditions.
The prefix “kuti” in Malayalam language primarily means “combined” or “together”, and “attam” means “acting”: therefore, the word “Koodiyattam” means “combined acting.”
The characters of this theatre form are: Chakyaar or actor, Naambiyaar, the instrumentalists and Naangyaar, those taking on women\'s roles.
In its stylized and codified theatrical language, neta abhinaya (eye expression) and hasta abhinaya (the language of gestures) are prominent.
Pakarnattam is an aspect of Kutiyattam that involves embodying and emoting male and female roles. Switching between the masculine and feminine and interpreting multiple roles at the same time is considered a challenging skill within the repertoire.
Temple theatres called Kuttambalams are permanent theatre structures attached to some of the major temples of Kerala.
A striking feature of Kutiyattam is that it treats single Acts from Sanskrit plays as full-fledged plays. It bases its performance not on the full text of a Sanskrit play, but on the individual acts from Sanskrit plays.
It was recognized as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001.