Archiestudio
Aradhana, 151 Priyadarsini Nagar
P. O. Ayyanthole
Thrissur, Kerala 680003
India
ph: +91 487 2381446
alt: +91 9447188446
archiest
The lush green state of Kerala is home to amazing array of art forms. Dance and music have gone hand in hand to enhance the colourful texture of its cultural matrix. Classical art forms like Kathakali, mohiniyattom, koodiyattom etc and the martial art form Kalaripayattu have flourished down the ages under the patronage of successive rulers. The state also abounds in myriad folk art forms. The folk art form dates back to pre classical times. Before getting recognised as art, folk art gets recognised as rituals. These rituals are normally beneficial for the community that practises them: for instance, propitiating the gods for fertility, timely rain, rich harvests, escape from epidemics, for salvation. The developed systems of art are more or less stylised versions of the folk form. Martial art however is a utilitarian form that is pressed into service for self defence and combat.
The spaces that these performances occupy or create are interesting material for study.
This thesis examines three forms:
Koodiyattom (classical), Kalaripayattu (martial) and theyyam (folk) and the nature of the spaces that they are performed in. These art forms have evolved over time and have come a long way from being mere articulations of rituals.
Art forms the backbone of any civilized culture. They are expressions of the dreams, aspirations, fear and pain of the community. Any performing art therefore is a pointer to the spirit of an age and its people. Home to some of the greatest performing arts in India, Kerala called ‘Gods own country’ is a small piece of land in the southern end of India extending from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari with gorgeous natural beauty and famous for its rich cultural heritage. Kerala’s culture is also a composite and cosmopolitan one to which several people and races have their significant contributions. In response to every challenge, Kerala has demonstrated through the ages its genius for adaptation and fusion of old traditions and new values in every sphere of human thought and endeavor.
A mosaic of varied cultures, Kerala is a storehouse of myriad forms of performing arts which represent a respiratory of the various social products through different stages of history. Kerala’s own art forms categorize into four groups – classical art forms, folk art forms, martial art forms and temple music. The classical, folk and martial art forms of Kerala have thrilled and intrigued the people world over. Kerala’s typical art forms reflect the outlook and life of the people. The thesis tries to explore the relevance of traditional performance spaces with the changing social and cultural settings of the present day. One example each from the broader classification of the art forms, namely classical, folk and martial, is taken for the study.
Koodiyattam, a classical art form, has always been presented inside a Koothambalam in the temple complex in olden days. Similar is the case of Kalaripayattu, the martial art form, in the Kalari and unlike other dance forms of Kerala which are onstage performances,
Theyyam is performed in front of village temples, without stage or curtains.
In all the three cases, in today’s context, it is being performed in a wide variety of places – on stages, theatres etc. With an exception of Theyyam the other two no more is confined to the traditionally performed spaces alone. Kalaripayattu is still taught in the Kalari, but is performed all over the world in varied settings.
Copyright : Dr. Harimohan Pillai . Architect
Archiestudio
Aradhana, 151 Priyadarsini Nagar
P. O. Ayyanthole
Thrissur, Kerala 680003
India
ph: +91 487 2381446
alt: +91 9447188446
archiest