A few decades ago when there was only the DD national channel and DD metro there used to be the telecast of various cultural performances from different states. Which would include songs, theatres, dances, plays, festivals, fairs, and many more. Do you all remember the song “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, …toh Sur Bane Humara”. A beautiful compilation of different forms of art from all the states. It is Nostalgic! Isn’t it?

One such form of Sanskrit theatre is the Kutiyattam. Kutiyattam or Koodiyattam means ‘acting together’, Kuti means ‘together’ and Attam means ‘acting’. Which means acting together or combined acting. The acting involved the combination of several actors on stage.

This is one of the oldest forms of theatre that has been passed on through traditions. It is about 2000 years old. Can you believe it! Kutiyattam is one of a kind. A theatre that acts on Sanskrit plays but also has an influence on the traditions of Kerela. It is performed in the permanent theatre structures called Kuttampalams at some of the major temples in Kerala. They might have been constructed between the 12th and 17th centuries. Some of the temples where Kutiyattam is performed are Thrissur, Guruvayur, Irinjalakudda, Kidangur, Thrippunithura, Chenganur, Harippad, and a recently built on the premises of Kerela Kalamandalam.

Kutiyattam is supposed to be a ritual that only a few can perform. Let’s find out. Back then during ancient times, a community of male actors called Chakyars and female performers called Nangiars used to perform. They were assisted by drummers called Nambiars. There is orchestral support to the drama that creates a divine atmosphere. But nowadays, people really interested in art are welcome to learn so they can perform.

There are five main musical instruments that enhance the spirit of the actors in their performance, called the ‘Panchavadya’, ‘Pancha’ means five, and ‘Vadya’ is the musical instrument. It includes Mizhava, Talakkoottam (small pair of Cymbals), Idakka, Kuzhal (pipe), and Sankha (Conch Shell). They form the instrumental orchestra that adds to the atmosphere of the stage. Kutiyattam is an art form that is orthodox and includes rituals. The performance is an offering to the god. The stage where Kutiyattam is performed is inside one of the temple rooms called Kuttapalam and is believed to be a sacred place. It is decorated according to the tradition that has been coming down for generations. There are certain rituals that are performed before the performance. A big lamp with 3 wicks is lit with oil, in front of the stage. The three wicks symbolize the divine presence of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. So, the performance is in front of the Trimurtis. The actor needs to tie a red headband that symbolizes purification.

Kutiyattam is one of the art forms that do loyality to the Sanskrit plays. It tries to explain each and every layer of the idea and emotion of the verses of the play. This is the reason that the tempo of the enactment is very slow. An ‘Ank’ or a chapter is taken at a time, not the whole play. Within the chapter, only an act is performed for days that can stretch up to 40 days. The whole act would involve months to complete.

A lifetime of dedicated and rigorous training gives the actor the flexibility of using his gestures and body kinetics to evoke the beauty of the play. The performers in Kutyattam are the hero, heroine, and the comic character or the jester. The comic character is called the ‘Vidushaka’. The Viduhska always uses verbal skills to narrate stories and interpret events, and anecdotes to make the environment lighter. They try to impart knowledge using humour as their medium.

There is minimum usage of text in the performance. The narration of the story is done in phases to form the background of the drama. The characters are introduced using complicated steps and body movements. The actor enacts the story using their body kinetics, dance movements, gestures, and facial expressions. Facial expressions include eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, and lips. The involvement of the eye in conveying the message forms the most important part of the act. ‘Netrabhinaya’ or acting through eyes and the ‘Angikabhinaya’ or acting using body kinetics. Kutiyattam actors hone their skills through years of practice which can be seen in their enactment.

The act, the stage orientation, and the dress that they wear are there in the codes which were written as manuals. These were then handed over from one generation to the next and guarded as secret documents. The guru used to impart knowledge about the manuals to his disciples and both have protected them through centuries. The history of Kutiyattam can be traced from these manuals. There are 2 manuals called Kramadeepika and Attaprakaram. Kramadeepika explains all about the logistics like the organization of the stage, the costumes, the production, and the payment to the artists. The Attaprakaram describes how to go about acting. It explains the gestures, the method of action, the mode of narration, and all the details about the performance. Kutiyattam being one of the oldest theatres of Sanskrit plays that has been kept going till today. It has been very carefully preserved through generations. Many theatres and scholars are intrigued by its rich cultural treasure. In 2001, Kutiyattam got the title of one of the ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO.

The art gets its patronage from the government and other agencies like Sangeet Natak Academy. In recent times this unique form of ancient art has got spectators all around the world. This form of art needs to be conserved as it holds the rich culture and traditions of India. It forms a bridge to connect the past and the present.