Kuttiyatam Kendra

Kuttiyatam is a 2000 year old Sanskrit theatre form. The word Kuti is Malayalam for combined and Attam means acting. It has been declared by UNESCO as A Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is the sole surviving ancient temple art of Sanskrit drama, kept alive by an actors’community known as Chakyars. The female performers are called Nangiars. The drummers are Nambiars.

What is Kuttiyatam?
Kuttiyatam originated as a Sanskrit form of drama. Literary expressions known as slokas included upama (simile) alankara (embellishments) utpreksha (metaphot) atishayokti (elaboration) varnanas (elaboration) slesha (multiple meanings) dhvani (implication). Recreating a narrative form to a performance form on stage necessitated a stylized and elaborate art of acting accessible only to those acquainted with its grammar.

Since it requires recital of slokas as it is being performed, unlike Kathakali, there’s less rapid vigorous movement and therefore no concluding tandav sequence towards the end of a performance. In fact, in Kuttiyatam, the feet move rarely and with little variation. Kuttiyatam is considered to be the precursor of Abhinaya (Acting).

Venue of Kuttiyattam performances
Kuttiyattam Kendra at Thiruvanthapuram. The Kendra is organising performances at various places in Kerala.
Time – 10 am to 9 pm
February 22 - Nirvahanam of Sugreeva (Balivadham) By Guru Kalamandalam Rama Chakyar
February 23 – Jatayuvadhankam  By Pothyiyil Gurukulam
February 24 – Kuttiyattam & Kathakali - An inter-active performance                   Thoranayudham (Ravana) By Guru Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar 
February 25 – Udyanaprevasam (Ashokavanikankam) By Guru Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar
February 26 – Subhadradhananjayam  By Margi 
February 29 – Workshop - Swara of Kuttiyatam – Actors’ Perspective 
Guru Kalamandalam Rama Chakyar  (Painkulam/Kalamandalam tradition
Guru Dr. C K Jayanthi  (Mani tradition)
Guru Usha Nangiar (Ammannur tradition)

Contact Information
Thiraseela, Thiruvanthapuram 
Ph: 04712420084 
Or 
Sangeet Natak Akademi 
Ph: 01123387246
Email: mail@sangeetnatak.gov.in