Traditions alive! Twenty eight day long annual Chakyarkooth presentation

Irinjalakkuda Kootalmaanikya Kshethram in Kerala, is one of the rare Temples that is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the younger brother of Lord Sree Rama. Every year after the ten day annual temple festival in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), twenty eight days long Chakyarkoothu is presented during the month Edavam (May-June). Also, following it, there will be a twelve day long Anguliyaankam Koothu during the month Karkkitakam (July-August).

Chakyar-koothu

Chakyar-koothu is a refined monologue in which the episodes from Ramayanam and Mahabharatham, two Epics of the Hindu culture, are narrated by a male performer (called as Chakyar) who belongs to the Chakyar community. After a short prayer, he recites a Shloka in Samskritham (Verses in Sanskrit). Then he starts elaborating it in Malayalam. His narration style that entwines the story with the jokes of social or political relevance makes it highly interesting even to the common men. These jokes are mostly hurled at different persons among the audience. It is a fact that the Chakyars were given a privilege to lampoon upon even the King during the performance.

Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar
[ Photo Credits : Valson B Vennikkal ]

Twenty eight days of Kooth

The annual twenty eight day long Chakyarkooth in Koodalmanikya Ksethram usually starts on the Thiruvonam day (Malayalam star) of the month Edavam. Incidents like a death or birth in the family can cause a slight change in this, because as per the beliefs, the family members must keep themselves away from the temple premises for a certain days in such cases. The entire episodes from the Ramayanam are presented by four years of twenty eight days each. We can see almost a similar system in Trissur Vatakkum-Naatha Ksethram, Lord Shiva temple, where the whole Ramayanam is divided among three years of forty one days each. Also, the performances in both these temples are the prerogative of the renowned Ammannur Chakyar family.

In Irinjalakkuda Koodalmanikya kshethram, the Kooth is not performed on the Amaavaasi (new moon) day, Paurnami ( full-moon) day and Prathipatham (the very next day to both these days), otherwise it is twenty eight days continuously. The same system was followed in Thalipparambu and Peruvanam villages earlier. As the month long Koothu presentation in both these villages are not live since some decades due to certain reasons, we can spot this system of twenty eight days now in Irinjalakkuda village only.

'Koothambalam', where the Koothu is presented

This year, it is 'again' a re-start of the Ramayanam, after the completion of the previous narration cycle of four years. The practice is that, before the narration of the story of Sree Rama, the story of the antihero- Ravana is presented. So, each new cycle will start with 'Rakshasolpathi' in which the story on the birth of 'Raakshasas'- the demons, the ancestors of Ravana are narrated followed by the narration on the birth of Ravana and the way he became the mighty force in the universe. On the first day, 'Brahmolpathi' ( birth of Brahma), 'Thrai-lokya-srushtti' (creation of the three worlds) etc are narrated.

After the completion the of 'Rakshasolpathi', which takes almost twenty eight days, the narration will move on to the episodes related to the Royal Dynasty-SooryaVamsha Kshathriyas- the lineage of Lord Sree Rama. Rest of the second set of episodes will be continued next year from the Thiruvonam day of the month Midhunam.

Being the eldest performer in the Ammannur joint family, Sri. Kuttan Chakyar is the leader of the team. This year, the first performance of the twenty eight days of Koothu was presented by Sri. Rajaneesh Chakyar on June 15th. Former and latter are the nephew and the grand nephew of the Guru Pathmabhushan Sri Ammannur Madhava Chakyar respectively. The Mizhaavu is handled by Sri. Vijayan Nambiar. Smt. Indira Nangiyar and Dr. Aparna Nangiyar, wife and daughter of Sri. Kuttan Chakyar respectively, will support the presentation with thaalam (rhythm) on cymbals on the alternate days.

Dr. Aparna Nangiyar (left) | Sri. Vijayan Nambiar (right)
[ Photo Credits : Valson B Vennikkal ]

Such vivacious customs are really wonderful! Let us pray that it continues to be breezy....

Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar

Written by
Nambiar Sooryavamsha Kshathriya

Comments

!da Dance Fest 2019 at God's Own Country - Third edition

T hird edition of ida dance fest was organized on 14th and 15th December 2019 at 'The Land of Lords and Looms' -Kannur, Kerala, a region famous for the Theyyams and Handlooms. On the first day, Kathak by Richa Guptha, Bharathanatyam by RLV Anand, Harinie Jeevitha & Bhairavi Venkatesan, Kuchipudi by Ruchi Krishna and Aavani Rakesh were presented. An item that depicted the story of Lord Ayyappa in Ragamalika set to Aadi thalam was presented by RLV Anand. Harinie Jeevitha & Bhairavi Venkatesan started their performance with an invocation to Lord Ganesha. Through their next item 'Ananada Natana Prakasam' of Shri Muthuswami Deekshithar, both Harinie and Bhairavi captured the attention of the audience. Due to the deviation from the Bharathanatyam's traditional style of music in the background, their next item 'Janani Jagathkarini' did effect the 'classical mood' of the performance. It is not that the choreography or performance ...

Fourth WOCUE RasaNavam is announced

T his time, while considering the fourth WOCUE rasanavam – something special captures, we wondered if any one could have taken their eyes away from the beauty of the brush strokes by the sun on this little green globe, amazingly captured by Sri Kundan De with his lense. Arupa Lahiri , the renowned dancer, underlines her name (literally means without form, which really is the ultimate form of beauty) with her presence- that is perfectly in tune with the nature! Her expression creates life over the broken wood on the right. The colors in the frame, let it be the nature or the costume, seems interwoven, even the contrast ones. Simply, ‘a poetry in the lights’ would be an apt usage, especially as Arupa Lahiri herself is a literature lover and a writer. Photo by : Sri. Kundan De ( Photo shoot ) About the Artist : ARUPA LAHIRI Arupa Lahiri, one of the noted young Bharatnatyam dancers of the country, started learning dance at the age of four. Later she did her h...

Violin Maestro, Padmabhushan Sri T.N. Krishnan turns 90

T oday is a red letter day for me as I attended Kanakabhishekam of Prof T N Krishnan Sir and his Dharampatni Smt Kamala Ji on the occasion of 90 th Birth Day celebration of the violin Legend. Amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, Havan, Pooja to Lord Guruvayurappa, Nadaswaram by Vidwan Seshampatti Sivalimgam, felicitation by Governor of Tamil Nadu the celebration culminated with Abhishekam of the couple from the vessel of yagna rituals with everyone singing Gowri Kalyana Vaibhavame. Post the Abhishekam the Couple were resplendent while seated, as people lined up to touch their feet and obtain Mangala Akshadai. I am very very blessed to witness Parameswar Parvathi and was so overwhelmed that I could wet their holy feet with Aananda Bashpam ( tears of joy ). May God Bless them with many more Jayanthi so they can, in turn, Bless millions like me. Sri. C.S. Pancham with Sri T.N. Krishnan and his Dharampatni Smt Kamala on the occasion of 90th B...

Pandit Samta Prasad - Resonance unlimited

I f each year is a beat, today the second cycle of the twelve beat Ekthal is completed, after the demise of the Maharaj of Thaal - Pandit Samta Prasad (Gudai Maharaj). Of course, his life was not different from his own words: "The whole life of a tabla artiste is dedicated to finding a special beat with the tali and the khali . They reside in his heart, because his soul rests and throbs with the thaala of measured matras" . He is a musician who had dominance over both the baayan and tabla. He was an illustrious soloist and accompanist. In Pandit Kishan Maharaj's ( tabla exponent ) opinion, "Tabla in Gudai ji's hands seemed like a fish trapped in an eagle's claws". He had such an astonishing control over the instrument. It is said that in those days, the organizers felt like- without Gudai Maharaj the concerts were incomplete and they will first attest to the date of Gudai Maharaj before they finalize the main artist ! He was awarded the...

Cascade of Divine Music - Sri. Sakethraman at Marghazi

I have always nursed a dream of attending a live concert of young and prodigiously talented Saketharaman the Carnatic Vocal * on the horizon. There is something about Saketh that leaves you craving for more and you submit an urgent wish list looking yonder at sky and a prayer in your lips to soon grant you the wish of next concert. He has a knack of disproving that there is satiation as your greed and appetite increases multifold and Eh Dil Mange More. Saketh lit the auditorium with cascaded divine Carnatic music and it was music for the souls as evidenced by earth quake of applause repeatedly at every subtle nuances he scaled effortlessly. The repertoire : Palayasumam – Arabhi Sundaratara deham – Pantuvarali Amba Neelambari – Neelambari VaraNarada – VijayaSri Marakathavalli – Kambhoji Ragam Tanam Pallavi – Varamu & Saveri (dwi-raga) Aadu Chidambaramo – Behag Tirupugazh – Hamir Kalyani Saketh started the concert with a slokam in Arabhi and he j...

First ‘WOCUE Rasa-Navam’ ( something special captures )

F rom the set of pics that came under our consideration, we selected this beautiful capture of Sri. Parshwanath Upadhye as the first WOCUE rasanavam – something special captures. The capture seems to be a real treat for the senses with the beautiful color combination and great lighting, moreover a perfect budding smile. Photo by : Light WEDS Shadow (Announced on 20th April 2017) About the Artist : SRI. PARSHWANATH UPADHYE A versatile Indian classical dancer, ‘Natya Mayura’ ; ‘Natya Keerthi’ awardee,Parshwanath Upadhye has carved out a niche for himself today as one of the most sought-after male dancers in the country. He is a Winner of eight national awards, an empanelled artist of the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and an ‘A grade’ artist of the Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra, Parshwanath’s prowess in the field of dance is extensive. Parshwanath completed his Arangetram, Vidwath and Alankaar Exams under the able guidance and...

A New Dawn for Mohiniyattam : Smt. Pallavi Krishnan's Lasya Akademi to Open in Kolkata

M ohiniyattam enthusiasts in Kolkata have reason to celebrate as renowned dancer and choreographer Pallavi Krishnan is set to inaugurate the Lasya Akademi of Mohiniyattam in her hometown. This new institution promises to be a beacon for the art form, offering a platform for dance lovers to immerse themselves in the nuances of this classical dance. With Pallavi's dedication to preserving the traditions of Mohiniyattam while bringing in new ideas, this academy is set to become an important cultural center in the city. Pallavi Krishnan is a celebrated Mohiniyattam performer, choreographer, and teacher with a career marked by artistic excellence and global impact. Trained under eminent gurus at Kerala Kalamandalam and Santiniketan, she has mastered the delicate balance of tradition and innovation, making her performances both deeply rooted and uniquely expressive. Her dedication to the art form has earned her numerous accolades...

Gulmohar - one day workshop on Kutiyattam and Natyasastra for students

M adhava Mathrugramam is conducting a one-day workshop on Kutiyattam and Natyasastra for students. The workshop will focus on imparting awareness in the technical aspects of both Kutiyattam and Natyasastra at theoretical and practical levels. Guru Pathmabhushan Dr. Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, the Kulapathy and the Grand Uncle of the present generation, was an eminent scholar of Natyasastra. Having received training in Natyasastra from Kodungallur Kovilakam, the erstwhile Royal Family of Kodungallur, under the tutelage of the great Acharya Bhagavathar Kunjunni Thampuran, Madhava Chakyar had dexterously incorporated the acting techniques taught to him from the royal Gurukulam in his own acting process. Madhayva Chakyar was also the last disciple of the great Kodungallur Bhagavathar Kunjunni Thampuran. The Same training was later handed over to the younger generation at Ammannur Gurukulam by him. ‘Gulmohar’ is a one-day Kutiyattam Workshop in the presence of eminent Gurus, Sanskrit...

WOCUE

Search This Blog