Amriteshwari Hall
Dear Rasikas... The Department of Amrita Darshanam is involved in various activities focussing on different facets of Indian heritage like philosophy, arts, literature, culture and tradition. As a continuation of these activities, this time we collaborate with Keli, a 30 year old Mumbai- based organization dedicated to presentation, propagation and preservation of various performing art traditions of our nation and present a Koodiyattam performance at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore.
Koodiyattam is the most ancient surviving Sanskrit theatre tradition in the world with a history of more than 1800 years. It was recognized by UNESCO in 2001 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Koodiyattam has an elaborate scheme of acting that aesthetically combines intense facial expressions, rhythmic body movements, well- defined gestures, and stylized dialogue delivery to portray the reactions of each character.
On the eve of Shubhakrit Ugadi, Keli in association with Amrita Vidyapeetham will present a Koodiyattam performance by some of the eminent young artistes in the field today. A brief introduction to the history, tradition, and artistic framework of Koodiyattam and a lecture demonstration will be followed by the Kootiyattam performance.
The text of the performance is from the play Abhisheka Nataka (The story of coronation) written by the 1st-century playwright Bhasa. The performing sequence is from the ACTIII (Thoranayudham) of this play.
The story of Abhishekanataka is based on Ramayana. The entry of Hanuman to Lanka, the damage caused by the valiant messenger to the royal garden Asoka Vanika and the ensuing events are depicted in this sequence.