KOODIYATTAM
This is another temple opera performed by Chakyars and Nambiars. Being the 2000-year-old predecessor of Kathakali, Koodiyattam is performed as an offering to the deity. The texts of the art are written in Sanskrit. Both men and women take part in this performance. There are four types of ‘Abhinaya’, the most important element in Koodiyattom. They include Angikam, Vachikam, Sathvikam and Aharyam. Abhinaya or acting is a three -fold process in which hand gestures are the main symbols used in accordance with the words of the verse recited in a modulated tone. The meaning of the music sung is expressed by bodily postures, attitudes and facial expressions.
It is performed only in temple premises on the specially built temple theatre known as Koothambalam, which is decorated with fruit-bearing plantains and bunches of tender coconuts. A vessel with paddy (parayum nellum) is placed on the stage along with a tall, lighted oil lamp made of brass. A Nambiyar woman plays the cymbal and recites the verses. A large copper drum called mizhavu, edakka, maddalam, a conch, pipe and horn are the other instruments used for the play.
The facial make-up is made by color schemes and patterns. When the performance begins, the drum is sounded first and later, the Nambiyar woman recites the invocatory verse (vandana slokam). After the Nambiyar purify the stage by sprinkling holy water, the orchestra, is played and Sutradhara perform the dance ritual ceremony called Kriyachavittuka.
The next item of the act is the stapana. After this, the main character is introduced in the next stage called Koothupurappadu. Nirvahana that consists of three phases, the Anukrama, the Samkshepa and the Vistara is the next part of the drama. Purushartha in which the clown (Vidushaka), depicting the moods of the hero is the significant feature of Koodiyattom.
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