Article Title: Koodiyatam & Theyyam
04-11-2022
History & Art and Culture Prelims Plus
Kalidasa’s epic poetry gets a new-age twist
In the cloistered environment of a boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayas, a timeless drama of love, and longing plays out, creating visual poetry on screen.
The past seamlessly coalesces into the present in filmmaker Rahat Mahajan’s debut feature film Meghdoot.
Performative arts such as Koodiyattam, Kathakali and Theyyam are woven skilfully into the cinematic narrative to bring alive the immortal tale of Jaivardhan and Tharini.
Koodiyatam:
Koodiyattam is the oldest existing classical theatre form in the entire world, having originated much before Kathakali and most other theatrical forms
Koodiyattam was traditionally a part of the temple rituals
Traditionally, Koodiyattam is presented by Chakyars, a temple caste of Kerala, and Nangiars, the women of Nambiar caste.
It is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Theyyam:
Theyyam is a popular ritual form of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka, India.
It consisted of thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs.
The people consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.
Each Theyyam is a man or a woman who attained divine status by performing heroic deeds or by leading a virtuous life
Most Theyyams are believed to be the incarnations of Shiva or Shakti (the consort of Shiva). Or they have strong associations with these principal deities of Hinduism
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