One of the many feats achieved by Kutiyattam maestro Mani Madhava Chakyar, enriching the longest surviving theatre tradition of Kerala, was the scripting of ‘Attaprakaram’ - acting manuals written for performance - for three important acts of ‘Ascharyachoodamani’. The eighth century text penned by Shaktibhadran is one of the most widely performed Kutiyattam stories. The Kutiyattam Kendra, functioning under Sangeet Natak Academy, launched its year-long activities for 2012 with an inaugural event at the Gurukulam named after the ace artist in his home town of Lakkidi in Palakkad district. A lecture demonstration on the topic ‘Abhinaya in Kutiyattam’, led by well-known artistes Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar, Painkulam Raman Chakyar and Kalamandalam Girija, was held at the Mani Madhava Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam on January 14. Mizhavu expert and Padmasree awardee P K Narayanan Nambiar inaugurated the seminar. A host of programmes and extension activities, including 10 lecture demonstrations, five each of Kutiyattam, Nangyarkoothu and Chakyarkoothu performances are scheduled to be held this year at venues all over the State, said Kutiyattam Kendra Director K K Gopalakrishnan. Among the programmes scheduled for January, Balivadham Kutiyattam performance by Painkulam Ramachakyar Smaraka Kalapeedom will be staged at the Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan in association with the Kritya Poetry Festival on January 18 at 6.30 pm. An interactive session led by artists will be held at the Government Sanskrit College on January 19 at 10.30 am and a performance of Balivadhankam Kutiyattam will be held at the Freedom Centre, Kovalam the same day at 7 pm. Performances, demonstrations and interactive sessions on the nuances of the art will also be held in Kannur and Kasargod in the month of January.
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