Traditional art forms of Kerala

Kathakali (കഥകളി) is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.

Origin

Kathakali originated from a precursor dance-drama form called Ramanattam and owes it share of techniques also to Krishnanattam. The word "attam" means enactment. In short, these two forerunning forms to Kathakali dealt with presentation of the stories of Hindu gods Rama and Krishna.

Kottarakkarao complement Krishnanattam, which had its origin under the Zamorins of Kozhikode.

Ignoring the first phase when it was Ramanattam, Kathakali had its cradle in Vettattnad. Here Vettathu Thampuran, Kottayathu Thampuran (This Kottayam is in Malabar [see Kottayam (Malabar)] and many dedicated artists like Chathu Panicker laid foundations for what is known as Kathakali now. Their efforts were concentrated on the rituals, classical details and scriptural perfection. The Kottaythu Thampuran composed four great works, ...viz. Kirmeeravadham, Bakavadham, Nivathakavacha Kalakeyavadham and Kalyanasaugandhikam. After this the most important changes in Kathakali were brought about through the effors of a single person namely, Kaplingad Narayanan Nambudiri (1739–1789). He was from the Northern Kerala, but after basic instructions in various faculties of the art in Vettathu Kalari he shifted to Travancore. In the capital and many other centres he found many willing to co-operate with him in bringing about the reformations.

Kathakali also shares a lot of similarities with Krishnanattam, Koodiyattam (a classical Sanskrit drama existing in Kerala) and Ashtapadiyattam (an adaptation of 12th-century musical called Gitagovindam). It also incorporates several other elements from traditional and ritualistic art forms like Mudiyettu, Thiyyattu, Theyyam and Padayani besides a minor share of folk arts like Porattunatakam. All along, the martial art of Kalarippayattu has influenced the body language of Kathakali. The use of Malayalam, the local language (albeit as a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam, called Manipravalam), has also helped the literature of Kathakali sound more transparent for the average audience.

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Ottamthullal or Ottanthullal (ഓട്ടന്‍ തുള്ളല്‍, pronounced [oːʈːamt̪uɭːal]) is a type of performing art from Kerala, south India. The art form was created during the 18th century by legendary Malayalam poet Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar. The story goes that Nambiar, who was playing the mizhavu for a Chakyar Koothu show, dozed off in the middle of the performance, thus inviting ridicule from the Chakyar. A humiliated Nambiar vowed to come up with an alternative art form to Chakyar koothu, and conjured up an Ottamthullal show that also made fun of prevalent socio-political equations and prejudices of the region.

Ottamthullal, over the centuries, has a (mostly) single actor, donning a green make-up and wearing colourful costumes (which once prompted Pt Jawaharlal Nehru to once remark that Ottamthullal is "poor man's Kathakali") and reciting the thullal lyrics (dance songs), all the while acting and dancing himself. The art form has of late found practitioners from among women too, and is occasionally staged as a group dance form with each artiste representing a character in the storyplay.

The art form still retains its satirical touch, and lends the artiste the freedom to improvise, more so on humour. Its incidental satire makes this art form more popular among the common man. Unlike in the case of Kathakali, the language is pretty Malayalam and the lyrics are set to rhythms that range from simple to rare and complicated.

The birth place of Kunchan Nambiar is in a small village named Killikkurussimangalam, 8 km from Ottapalam, a town in Palakkad district. His home, Kalakkathu Bhavanam, is preserved as a memorial and is a museum of Ottamthullal and related art forms. A library named 'Kunchan Memorial Library has archved manuscripts and documents related to performing arts of Kerala.

The home of the legendary Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu artist and noted Natyashasthra scholar Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar, who was considered as the authority of Abhinaya (acting) is also in the same place.

Ottamthullal is being taught in institutions like Kerala Kalamandalam besides gurus across Kerala, mostly in the northern Travancore and Kuttanad belt where Kunchan Nambiar had spent much of his latter life.Thullal is of three types:1)Seethankanthullal 2)parayan thullal and 3)ottan thullal. Mr.Kalamandalam Gopinatha Prabha is the one of the Great well known Guru [Teacher] of Kerala Kalamandalam.He Knows 16 and Above Thullal Stories. The who made the Ottamthullal as so popular While working in kalamandalam.Early days the colour of Manayola [Facial makeup materiel]was Dark green mixed with blue.He has changed it to Light Green. The costumes are also made by him only. His Thullal Song Is so amazing that we can't hear it any where else.He residing in sangeeth bhavan Palakkad District kerala India.More doubts about thullal call him Directly 0466 2220681.

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