Chakyar

Guru Ammannoor Madhava Chakyar -(1)

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• published: 26 Aug 2011
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Kootiyattam, the classical Sanskrit theatrical form indigenous to Kerala and Padma Bhushan (Dr.) Guru Ammannur Madhava Chakyar ([May 13, 1917 - July 1, 2008) was a master of Kootiyattam/kutiyattam. Koodiyattam was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Traditionally performed as a religious ritual in the Koothambalam ("temple theaters"), special theater halls for Koothu and Koodiyattam performances, were constructed on Hindu temple grounds according to the specifications of Bharata Muni's Nātyasāstra and considered to be as sacred as the temple sanctum itself.The name Koodiyattam ("playing together") suggests a combined performance of Chakyar and Nangyar.Only men from the Chakyar community are allowed to perform Koothu and Koodiyattam inside the Koothambalam. Female roles are played by Nangyarammas, women of the Ambalavasi Nambiar caste, and Ambalavasi Nambiar men play the mizhavu.The whole drama is performed as a sacrificial offering to the deity.Performances are long and drawn-out, usually lasting several days.The complete play, from beginning to end, is performed on the last day.Each verse of the play is interpreted three times.A pivotal role in the performance is that of the Vidushaka (Jester), thought to have been introduced into the drama by Tolan, a Brahmin minister of King Kulashekhara Varman.The Vidushaka's role is essential in making Koodiyattam relevant for audiences who do not understand Sanskrit. Visuals of Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan's program,'Sathvikam',repeat telecast on 19 August 2011.Edited for YouTube.