HYDERABAD: Koodiyattam was presented by Nepathya (Center for Excellence in Kutiyattam) at UoH in association with SPIC MACAY.
Koodiyattam or Kutiyattam, is a form of Sanskrit theatre traditionally performed in the state of Kerala. The dance form is believed to be 2,000 years old and was performed in Hindu temples. It is officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
For a frail and simple human being, Margi Madhu adds a good punch on stage. He is magical and Madhu’s portrayal of characters on the stage of venerated Kudiyattam is beyond belief. The act presented, namely Agnipravesankam, is the seventh act of scharayachudamani of Saktibhadran.
This act basically presents Lakshmana’s first person description of Sita’s ordeal by fire, after the fall of Lanka and the death of Ravana, to an attentive and equally amazed Rama.
An excited and ebullient exchange of words that occur between the brothers describes the events occurring at the time of Sita’s ordeal by fire. Seeing a joyful and overexcited Lakshmana, Rama asks him about the cause of this great happiness. Lakshmana then pictorially describes Rama how devotionally Sita accepted the ordeal and willfully entered the pyre, showing no sadness, but only faith and purity.
Sita circumbulates the pyre thrice and comes back unhurt, pure and faultless. This overjoys Rama and he happily sets out to see Sita, which commemorates the end of the performance that continued for about 90 minutes. Ascharya Lakshmana’s role was essayed by Guru Margi Madhu Chakyar while Nepathya Yadukrishnan potrayed Lord Rama.
Instrument Mizhavu was played by Kalamandalam Manikandan and Nepathya Jinesh. Kalanilayam Rajan played the Edakka. Thalam was by Dr. Indu.G. The five-hour make-up was carried out by Kalamandalam Ravikumar with assistance from Nepathya Sreehari Chakyar.