Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Naangiarkoothu.
About Naangiarkoothu:
- Naangiarkoothu (or Nangiaramma Koothu) is a distinguished Sanskrit dance-theatre form from Kerala, with a rich heritage spanning at least 1500 years.
- This is a solo dance drama performed by female members (Nangiar) of the Chakkiar community (known for their mastery of Koothu)
- It is traditionally presented in the temple theatre, the Koothambalam or Koothupura.
- It is mainly centered on the legends of Lord Krishna. Verses are sung and interpreted through mime and dance.
- It is predominantly characterised by Abhinaya, the expressive aspect of dance, with minimal emphasis on nritta, or pure dance elements. It comprises two significant segments:
- Nirvahanam, a retrospective solo act recounting past events.
- The play itself, featuring dialogues and multiple characters.
- The mudras are even more elaborate. Movements, gestures and facial expressions have their origin in Natyasastra (the treatise on theatre, written by Sage Bharatha in the 2nd century BC).
- The performance is accompanied with Mizhavu (a percussion instrument) and Ilathalam (cymbals).
- It is still performed in temples like Vadakkunnatha temple at Thrissur, Sri Krishna temple at Amabalappuzha, Koodal Manickyam temple at Irinjalakkuda and Kumaranalloor temple at Kottyam.
Story of Evolution:
The inception of Nangiarkoothu holds a fascinating history. “It is said that King Kulashekara Varman, impressed by the talents of a Nangiar actress, married her. However, some segments of society viewed her children as outcasts. Upon learning of this injustice, the king granted them special rights to perform Koothu, a traditional art form, in temples across his kingdom. He even commissioned the writing of the text “Sri Krishnacharitam” for the Nangiars to perform. To support these performances, tax-free properties were allocated. Over time, the community gained recognition, and efforts were made to grant equal status to Nangiars. The performance typically spans two parts, each lasting around one and a half hours.”