Nepathya's Kudiyattam

It was the beginning of winter season in Delhi and I came across this news about UNESCO and the Aga Khan trust hosting the Nepthya’s Kudiyattam in the amphitheatre of Sunder Nursery, a world heritage site hosting the first intangible cultural heritage element of the UNESCO’s list on 15^th Nov 2019.

Just after that, I couldn’t contain the excitement to witness the 2000 years old traditional theatre art form. I never knew that I was about to witness such an energetic performance that day.

Balivadham - Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and  Hanuman (Left to right)

Nepathya – centre for excellence in Kudiyattam, headed by Sh. Margi Madhu is the only institute which still continues the long historical practice of this two millennia-old Sanskrit theatre form. Initially, this play was confined just for the temples on various traditional occasions.
 

Margi Madhu as Vaali, Dr. Indu G as Tara

There are permanent structures called 'Koothambalam' ('Koothu' means drama and 'Ambalam' means stage) in every prominent temple of Kerala, dedicated just for the performance of this theatre form. Long back ago, 18 families took up this sacred art form as a profession, but now it’s just only five families and a few have professionally taken this art.

Vaali in deathbed

Kudiyattam ('Kuti' means combine and 'Aattam' means performance) is a much more inclusive form than it was originally performed. The male actors are called as 'Chakyars' and the female performers are known as 'Nangiars' and the drummers are known as 'Nambiars'. The Kudiyattam comprises of both 'Nangiar Koothu' and 'Prabhandha Koothu'. 

Rahul Chakyar as Sreerama - The divine smile

One single act of Kudiyattam could stretch up to forty nights as well. One important feature of this art form is that this considers single Acts from Sanskrit as full-fledged plays. They will light up a big lamp in front of them, even in such long duration of the act the actors will be performing for the Gods assuming the lamp as a god. The individual acts are given importance rather than going into the full text of Sanskrit. The enlargement of the movements and emotions are the primary focus of the Kudiyattam.

With the whole team

With Shri Mari Madhu

About the make-up which is another great art and needs much patience to work for it. Make-up takes at least five to six hours to get ready for the performance. All the make-up cosmetics they use have only natural ingredients and the costume that all they use is handmade only.

With Dr. Indu G

Since the emphasis is more on the acting, this, in turn, provides bare minimal dialogues for the actors. This, in turn, results in the improvised expressions as the audience engages and imagine and dwells into the play.

Angry Vaali

At the first place, after reaching the venue of their performance, seeing them closer with the make-up, I recollected my memories of silly fear that I had during my childhood, seeing such artistes since a child doesn’t know about it. 

With the Mizhavu players Jinesh and Aswin

I don’t have words to explain my first ever experience of lively watching Kudiyattam. I had at least hundreds of goosebumps and the chills running through my spine throughout the play of 'Balivadham'. I never cared about the winter since we were watching it in the amphitheatre. Throughout the play, I couldn’t take off my eyes from the actors. Also, the 'Mizhavu' players at the back, played with such coordination and their energy was like that of one thunder. The actors were still covered with the help of their costumes whereas the Mizhavu players were with their bare bodies and were like sweating during their play. That sums up the energy and dedication they have. 

Shri Margi Madhu when portraying Narasimha in the play

The actors, be it Chakyars or the Nangiars, the acting was in such detail, the eyelids, eyebrows, cheeks and even the fingers were moving in such detail. Every actor on stage does not only plays his/her role, but they should also portray other characters they talk about, but such is also the powerful acting they do in Kudiyattam. The dedication and intense expression come as a result of such dedication and their respect towards the art form. They are not just learning and acting, the tradition of their whole family is being devotionally followed throughout different generations and is passed on to the next.

Starting the play

I became a die-hard fan of this art form in the very first live experience. I couldn’t come out of the energetic vibes after the performance. I couldn’t resist myself from clicking selfies with the best every Kudiyattam performers. 

Yours East Gaterr
 
Note: Photo Courtesy - Nepathya & UNESCO