Information AboutKoothu |
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Koothu, also called '''Chakyar Koothu''' is a type of performing arts from Kerala , South India . It is a kind of ''mono act''. It is the traditional equivalent of a Stand-up Comic act. However, unlike the stand-up comics, the performer has a wider leeway in that he can heckle the audience. "Koothu" means dance - which is a misnomer, since there is minimal choreography involved in the art form; facial expressions are important, though. Traditionally, it was performed inside a Hindu temple and the performer begins with a prayer to the deity of the temple. (S)He then goes on to narrate a verse in Sanskrit before explaining it in the vernacular Malayalam . The narration that follows touches upon various current events and societal factors with great wit and humor. Koothu was traditionally performed by the Chakyar community. The women ( Nangyar s) also used to perform it (then it is called Nangyar Koothu ). Only two instruments accompany the performance - a Mizhav and a pair of Cymbals . Chakyar Koothu was performed only in Koothambalam s of Hindu Temple s, it was visionary ''Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padmasree'' Mani Madhava Chakyar ( who was the greatest Koothu and Kudiyattam artist ) brought Koothu and Kudiyattam outside temples by performing it outside for common people. He is considered as the greatest Koothu and Kutiyattam artist of modern times. When Mani Madhava Chakyar 's guru, ''His Highness'' ''Darsanakalanidhi'' Rama Varma Parikshith Thampuran wrote a new Sanskrit ''champu prabandha'' called '''Prahlādacharita ''' and requested some senior artists to study and perform the same on the Chakyar Koothu stage, they said it was impossible for them to stage such a new ''prabandha''. Then the guru asked Mani Madhava Chakyar , who was then a comparatively young artist, to try. He agreed and studied a part of the ''prabandha'' within one night and performed the same on next day itself at Tripunithura - the then capital of Kochi state! The incident made great scholars to accept his mastery over both Sanskrit and the classical art form. After some months, he performed entire '''Prahlādacharita ''' at the same stage. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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