RAMANATTAM
This old art form was created by King Kerala Varma of Kottarakkara as a retort to Manavedan, Zamourin of Kozhikode, who rejected his order to perform Krishnanattam in his palace. It is an art meant to be performed only in the Guruvayoor temple. Following the rejection of his order by Manavedan, the King who felt humiliated, wrote Ramayanam in the Attakkadha style setting the verses according to the music and named it "Ramanattam". It was in the form of a dance drama. Its name was given opposing Krishnanattam.
He composed the whole of Ramayanam in eight volumes in Manipravalam style. He then trained the artists who wore rich costumes and jewellery and enacted it in the Kottarakkara palace thus fulfilling his wish.
Though it has many similarities to Kathakali, Kalladikkodan and Kaplingadan, the two veteran Namboothiris made improvements to it later.
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