TRIPUNITHURA: Two invaluable elements of the thousand-year-old koodiyattam are its matchless ‘rasaabhinaya’ and the inimitable mannerisms and narrative skill of jesters who unleash sharp and unbiased criticisms against social evils prevailing in society.Though koodiyattam attained a new life and international fame through the approval of UNESCO, the plight of Chakyarkoothu is miserable because of language and cultural barriers. Protection and preservation of this ancient art is a must.As a body was needed exclusively for staging and popularisation of Chakyarkoothu, a group of ardent adorers of Ammannur Madhava Chakyar formed Ranga Peedham here recently which was inaugurated by M Raman Namboothiri, an admirer and intimate friend of Ammannur.“Inspired by the firebrand presentation of Purushartha koothu by the late Ammannur we formed Ranga Peedham for the promotion of this art form which often leaves audience in peals of laughter,” said Rameshan Thampuran, the chief organiser of Ranga Peedham. The role of jesters was originally designed by thespians like Kulasekhara, Bhasa and others. By developing the jesters in koodiyattam, like Koundinyan from Subhadra Dhananjayam, Athreya in Naganandam, Parasharya in Thapathi Samvaranam and Shandilya in Bhagavadanjukam, a different style of narrative, the Chakyarkoothu, came into existence.Ranga Peedham will organise the staging of Prabandham (script meant for koothu) penned by renowned Sanskrit scholars like Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri and others, Rameshan said.“If possible we will also present the Purusharthakoothu including ‘Ashanam’, ‘Rajaseva’, ‘Vinodam’ and ‘Vanchanam’, and the portrayal of selected jesters from plays like Subhadra Dhananjayam, Thapathi Samvaranam and Naganandam,” he said.Ammanur remembered“The promotion of koodiyattom is easier than Chakyarkoothu as it can communicate through gestures,” said K G Paulose while delivering the Ammannur Madhava Chakyar remembrance speech.“To enjoy koothu one should have a good sense of humour to understand the sharp and satirical remarks made by the Chakyar,” he said.However, as the medium is Malayalam, the Chakyarkoothu will not appeal to those who are not well versed in the language. So this unique and invaluable narrative style which can be used as a powerful medium of criticising social evils should be preserved, Paulose said. As an inaugural programme to mark the formation of Ranga Peedham, the organisers staged ‘Panchali Swayamvaram’, a prabandham penned by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri.While describing the scenes of the marriage hall of Draupadi where all the powerful kings, including the disguised Pandavas, were present, Madhu satirically portrayed the mannerisms of the kings who attended the Swayamvaram.Ranga Peedham will organise Chakyarkoothu of various schools such as Ammannur, Margi, Paimkulam and other prominent schools. Those interested can join the group, please write to [email protected].
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