Natya Rasa webinar highlighting the 2000-year Indian theatre art form Koodiyattam has enraptured the attendees and viewers recently.
A first of its kind, the webinar included a talk akin to lecture-demonstration on the virtual platform and has firmly enhanced the awareness and understanding of India’s oldest living theatre tradition of Koodiyattam among the UK and European audiences. This is also the second event organised by Sanskruti Centre in the series of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in Britain.
Renowned Guru Painkulam Narayana Chakyar has elucidated the ancient art and furnished fine examples through pictures and video clips.
Guru Narayana Chakyar as Bali
History of theatre, Koodiyattam as temple ritual and its transformation into elaborate performance structure have all been explained well. Make-up and costume of different characters was beautifully explained with the help of power point presentation including Pacha, Kathi, Kari, Minuk, and Thaadi for Bali, Sugreeva and Hanuman. Characters and scenes such as Brihannala in Gograhanankam, Bhasha’s Pancharathram and Jatayu in Jatayuvadham were also explained. Video clips were shown to highlight enactment of Jatayu, Baali and Shurpanaka.
Navarasas, the nine emotions, unique gestures used in Koodiyattam, dialogue delivery through song were captivatingly demonstrated by Guru Chakyar. Salini has explained in English what the Guru was presenting in Malayalam, both of which have complimented with each other.
The session concluded with a Q and A where Cllr Sharad Jha from the UK and few others from abroad have sought clarification on different aspects of Koodiyattam.
Vote of Thanks was rendered by Ragasudha Vinjamuri while Manju Sunil has spoken on the Guru and his achievements and awards.
The video of this interesting webinar can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/Sanskruti100/videos/345693196892118
Readers like you, make ESHADOOT work possible. We need your support to deliver quality and positive news about India and Indian diaspora - and to keep it open for everyone. Your support is essential to continue our efforts. Every contribution, however big or small, is so valuable for our future.
Sanskruti Centre is doing a fantastic job of keeping alive our ancient culture. It shows that despite being attacked and ruled by the central Asian marauders who tried but failed to impose their awful religion and the British the soul of India is alive. More advance news of such programmes will benefit our community