CHAKKYAR KOOTHU: A Visual Art Staged Only In Hindu Temples Of Kerala

In order to get to the origin of "Chakkyar Koothu", one should walk back to the times when "Arya" caste were prominent in the history of Kerala. It is also noteworthy that "Chakkyar Koothu" originated as a separate layer from another solid performance called "Koodiyattam". "Koodiyattam" is an elaborate version of presenting Sanskrit poems. In order to explained a few stanzas of Sanskrit poems through "Koodiyattam" the actors used to consume several nights. It is interesting to realize that the actor of this presentation was from "Chakkyar" caste while the actress always belonged to "Nambyar" caste. As a result of several noted evolutions to this visual act, Chakkyar, the actor solemnly began to perform a mono act on the stage in appreciably shorter performance time. This mono act version of "Koodiyattam" presented on the stage by "Chakkyar" was popularly recognized as "Chakkyar Koothu" (Chakkyar = actor of the play and Koothu = performance). Chakyar used to pick up a timely relevant episode or event surrounding politics or social life and present in an attractive and humorous manner to spectators. During his performance, a typical background music by the name, "Mizhavu" used to be played to enhance the spirit of the play. It is also peculiar about "Chakkyar Koothu" that this performance is always played inside Hindu temples on a stage called "Koothambalam". One of the Hindu temples at Thrissur, the cultural capital city of Kerala, by name "Vadakkunnathan temple" is famous for "Chakkyar Koothu".

HARI KOCHAT

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