KOODIYATTAM

Koodiyattam is a Sanskrit drama enacted in Kerala alone. It is considered as the oldest theater form in the world, dating back to over 2000 years. Even UNESCO has considered its heritage value and recognized years back as Human Heritage Act.

In the passage of time, Koodiyattam was enacted in different forms. The author of the present form is Cheraman Perumal, an erstwhile king of Kerala. He has penned a book named “Attaprakaram” wherein various aspects of the performance narrated. Attaprakaram is considered as most authentic till date.

Koodiyattam is staged mostly by “Chakyars”, a sub-caste of Hindus in Kerala, as a tradition. With the world recognition as heritage act, in the present day, many from upper caste too have learned the art.

Percussion instrument used in the performance is “Mizhav”. Now-a-days, as companion to Mizhav, “Idakka” also finds a place in the performance.

Currently, the Koodiyattam performance is mainly centered on two stories – Soorpanakhangam and Jatayuvadham.

Soorpankhangam (the battle with Soorpanakha): It is the enactment of an episode in “Ramayana” (mythological story of Lord Rama, Sita and Ravana). Soorpanakha, a Rakshasi (demonic woman) appeared before Rama and Lakshmana at Panchavati wherefrom Ravana had abducted Sita, the wife of Rama). The unparallel beauty of Rama impressed Soorpanakha highly. She transformed herself as a beautiful lady and advanced towards Rama with the motive of making love with Rama. Rama realized her motive and showed no interest at all towards her. She turned infuriated. Sensing her mood, Lakshmana, the brother of Rama, lost his control seeing her nose and breasts. Following this, she turned to her original form (Rakshasi) and disappeared. The performance ends here.

Jatayuvadham (killing of Jatayu): On seeing Sita, a world beauty, Ravana decides to abduct her and make her his own. Ravana and his charioteer Soothan take the shape of Rama and Lakshmana respectively to hoodwink Sita. She fell in their trap. They told her they are returning to Ayodhya, the place of Rama. En-route, Ravana’s hand touched accidentally on Sita’s Choodamani (a jewelled stud worn on the head). Divine power of the stud caused Ravana to transform to his original form. Seeing the real Ravana, Sita got horrified and begged to Lakshmana (Soothan disguised as Lakshmana) to escape her. Following the request, the disguised Lakshmana becomes real Soothan. Sita started wailing. Hearing the wailing of Sita, Jatayu (a bird friend of Rama) comes to the scene and attempts to save Sita by fighting with Ravana. The enraged Ravana cut one wing of the Jatayu. At this moment, Sita requests Jatayu to convey the incident to Rama and blesses Jatayu not to die before reporting to Rama. The performance ends with Ravana continuing the journey to Sri Lanka with Sita.