Context: Cholliyattom is an informal collective of young Koodiyattam artists in Kerala, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. This platform aims to bring together artistes from various schools of Koodiyattom to collaborate, preserve the art form, and learn the nuances of different styles.
Preserving different Koodiyattam traditions:
- Cholliyattom plays a critical role in preserving various styles of Koodiyattom, which include the Kalamandalam or Painkulam style, Ammannur style, and Mani Gurukulam style.
- By creating a space for intergenerational knowledge transfer, Cholliyattom ensures that these styles are kept alive and continuously practiced.
- Nuances of Koodiyattom:
- Koodiyattom is known for its complexity, with intricate sign languages, acting styles, and specific techniques that vary between traditions.
- While the costumes across different styles may appear similar, there are slight differences in gestures and performances, which can be challenging for audiences unfamiliar with the art's technical vocabulary.
- Expanding Koodiyattom beyond temple premises:
- Historically, Koodiyattom performances were confined to temple premises in Kerala, limiting its audience and outreach.
- However, Cholliyattom aims to bring this ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition to a broader audience by encouraging participation from artistes of diverse social backgrounds.
- The collective not only promotes collaboration among artistes but also strives to make the art more accessible to younger generations, ensuring its continuity and evolution.
About Koodiyattam:
Introduction:
- Koodiyattam, a theatre tradition practiced for over two thousand years in Kerala, gained international recognition when UNESCO proclaimed it a ‘Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ in 2001.
- It was later inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
- Koodiyattom, derived from the Malayalam word ‘koodiyattam’ meaning ‘combined act,’ is a unique fusion of ancient Sanskrit theatre with elements of Koothu, an ancient performing art from the Sangam era.
- Koothu, also known as Therukoothu, is a traditional folk art from Tamil Nadu, where artists combine music, dance, and storytelling to narrate epic tales.
- The performances are conducted in Tamil, and this art form dates back to the early Tamil country.
- Koothu reached its zenith centuries ago, with mentions in Sangam literature, which also documents the development of Tamil literature (iyal), music (isai), and drama (natagam).
- Koothu performances usually draw from scenes in ancient epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Tamil classical epics.
- Notably, there is no spoken dialogue in the performances-only songs are used to convey the narrative.
History:
- Koodiyattom, traditionally performed in temple theatres known as koothambalams, is the only surviving art form that incorporates drama from ancient Sanskrit theatre.
- The art form evolved from Koothu, which has been mentioned in Sangam literature and temple inscriptions of the Pallava, Pandiyan, Chera, and Chola periods.
- These performances, considered integral to worship, were conducted alongside devotional singing of hymns like Tevaram and Prabandam.
- Notably, kings of the ancient period, including a Pallava king named Rajasimha, contributed by authoring works like Kailasodharanam that were performed as part of these sacred services.
- Reformation by Kulasekhara Varma:
- Kulasekhara Varma, a medieval king from the Chera Perumal dynasty, is credited with reforming Koodiyattom.
- He introduced the local language for the Vidusaka role and restructured the presentation into well-defined units.
- He also authored two plays, Subhadradhananjayam and Tapatisamvarana, which are still performed today.
- Other classical plays traditionally performed in Koodiyattom include Kalyanasaugandhika by Nilakantha, Nagananda by Harsha, and several plays by Bhasa, such as Abhiseka and Pratima.
Instruments and performance traditions:
- Traditionally, the main musical instruments used in koodiyattam are the mizhavu, kuzhitalam, edakka, kurumkuzhal, and sankhu.
- The mizhavu, the most prominent of these, is a percussion instrument that is played by a person of the Ambalavas Nambiar caste, accompanied by Nangyaramma playing the kuzhithalam (a type of cymbal).
- Percussion instruments are musical instruments that produce sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped. Examples-Drums, cymbals etc.
- Traditionally, koodiyattam has been performed by Chakyars (a subcaste of Kerala Hindus) and by Nangyaramma (women of the Ambalavasi Nambiar caste).
- The main actor is a Chakyar who performs the ritualistic koothu and koodiyattam inside the temple or in the koothambalam.
- Chakyar women, Illotammas, are not allowed to participate. Instead, the female roles are played by Nangyaramma.
- Koodiyattom performances are divided into three main parts:
- Purappadu: The actor performs a verse with the nritta aspect of dance.
- Nirvahanam: Through abhinaya (expressive gestures), the actor depicts the emotions and character of the play's protagonist.
- Koodiyattom: The final part, where the actual play begins, involving multiple actors performing in rhythm with the beats of the mizhavu drummers.
Modern revival:
- In 1962, under the guidance of art and Sanskrit scholar V. Raghavan, Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar performed Koodiyattom outside Kerala for the first time at Sanskrit Ranga in Chennai.
- This marked a significant moment in the evolution of the art form as it expanded beyond its traditional boundaries.
Decline:
- Historically, Koodiyattom was an exclusive art form performed within Hindu temples and restricted to caste Hindus.
- The art form, often requiring forty days to complete a performance, faced a significant decline with the collapse of the feudal order in Kerala during the 19th century, leading to a loss of patronage and financial difficulties for artists.
- Despite a revival in the early 20th century, Koodiyattom once again struggles due to a lack of funding and institutional support.