Chakyar Koothu: Kerala’s Art of Storytelling and Satire

Safna Premji

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Passionate about uncovering the past and fascinated by the stories buried within earth. checkout my posts ,to get insights on different art forms of kerala

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Introduction

[Image: a close up look on chakyar](Image source: vidyapeedom)

With its emergence from Hindu temple customs, Kerala’s Chakyar Koothu is a dynamic art form that has grown throughout time, captivating crowds with its comedy and heritage value.

A lone individual enters in the temple theater’s halls, ready to captivate spectators with his distinctive headdress and vibrantly colored look. This is a maestro known as the Chakyar.

Origins of the art-form

Image: costume (Image source: Homegrown)

Chakyar Koothu is a derivative of Kutiyattam, the oldest still-evolving style, which originated in the tenth and eleventh centuries. It was primarily presented by male performers who specialize in this art style. In the past, it was exclusively presented in temple theatres known as Koothambalams. The lively one-man act begins with a prayer before the passage is explained in Malayalam.

Appearance

To represent the narrative, artist puts on a unique head covering that resembles the hood of a snake. The performer also creates a base for facial makeup by combining rice flour, turmeric, and black powder. Features are emphasized with bold brushstrokes, and the look is completed with a black whiskers.

Red dots and sandalwood paste are applied, which improves the appearance. The artist wears a white mundu (dhoti) with kasavu border. and also adorned with jewelry and accessories that go with the clothing.

Main instruments

1. Illathalam

Image : illathalam instrument (two little cymbals)] (Image source: shutterstock)

A pair of tiny, handheld metallic cymbals that make a sharp, clinking sound give the sound of illathalam. It contributes a clear, percussion-heavy rhythm that enhances the mizhavu’s deeper tones and helps keep the tempo steady throughout the performance. Despite its small size, its constant chime is crucial to maintaining the performance’s flow.

2. Mizhavu

[Image: *mizhavu instrument* (a big copper drum) ] (Image source: organology

The mizhavu, a barrel-shaped copper drum, is the central element of Chakyar Koothu’s musical environment. When played with the hands, it produces deep vibrating sound. The mizhavu, which is traditionally placed inside a pot called a koodam, enhances the dramatic effect that matches with the spoken narration. It is considered one of the most significant instruments in Kerala’s temple performance traditions.

How it flourished

This grew within the temple grounds, and because of the Chakyar’s role as the Vidushaka (jester), jokes and mocking were allowed, and they often looked on current social and political problems. Chakyar Koothu’s unique fusion of humour and critique contributed to its lasting popularity.

(Image :Sringāra Rasa-abhinaya of Guru Māni Mādhava Chākyār) (Image source :wikipedia)

The introduction of Koothu and Kudiyattam to the general people outside of temples , accomplished Padma Shri Māni Mādhava Chākyār marked a significant turning point in the art form’s history. He was the first person to play Chakyar Koothu on Doordarshan and All India Radio, which exposed it to a wider public.

Details about the Motifs used

Divine Narratives
The base of the performance lies in the reliving stories from epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other Puranas. These are used to teach spiritual insight and moral teachings.

The stories are told in shlokas, or Sanskrit poems, and then translated into Malayalam. The audience is able to explore the stories’ spiritual and moral depths because to the artist’s expressive facial movements and simple dance, which are based on the Natya Shastra.

[Image : a complete view of performance](Image source: gosahin)

Tales from Mythology: Analyzing Morals and Negative traits
The artform explores the human nature through myths that go beyond stories of the gods. Epic characters like Ravana, Duryodhana, and Shakuni are expressed carefully and with this a clear display of their good and bad traits as well as the results of their actions. Instead of simple storytelling narration ,these stories are analyzed and often relates to current problem. Exploration of themes such as ambition, pride, loyalty, and lying is made possible by the artist’s ability to play multiple roles with ease.

Societal Analysis
Artist’s use of humor and satire to make social and political statements is one of its most unique characteristics. This tradition of satire dates back to the early days of the art form, when the Chakyar had the rare opportunity to express their criticism and ridicule without worrying about consequences.

References to Pop Culture

Humour medium changed along with society. In a variety of media, the spirit of Chakyar Koothu found new expressions. Comedy and mimicry artists echoed the sarcastic spirit of Chakyar Koothu by performing humorous skits and parodies, frequently posing as politicians and prominent personalities.

Image : Chakyar on the floor,a still from mazhavil manorma television programme (Image source: youtube)

Political and social humour were shown on Malayalam television programs like Cinemala and Munshi. Similar to the Chakyar’s function as a jester who could criticize the king without fear of reaction, these shows employed comedy to address contemporary events.

The Chakyar Koothu tradition has been modified in the digital era by social media platforms such as International Chalu Union. They preserve the tradition of the art form in a modern setting by making comments on social and political concerns through memes and internet material.

Conclusion

Kerala’s age-old temple theatrical art form, Chakyar Koothu is still thriving today as a vibrant fusion of modernism and tradition. Despite its difficulties, its adaptability and persistence guarantee its continued importance in the current cultural environment. For audiences today, artists such as Pradeep Poolani have recreated Chakyar Koothu. Poolani brings the art form to a variety of venues by performing at weddings, cultural gatherings, and even church festivals while incorporating aspects of mimicry and satire. Chakyar koothu’s adaptability in the digital age is demonstrated by his performances, which have gained millions of views online.

Ammannur Gurukulam has actively contributed towards nurturing and safeguarding this particular art form. The Gurukulam has trained students from all over the country, including women and members of caste suppressed communities, under renowned gurus like Painkulam Narayana Chakyar. This step has ensured the survival and advancement of the artform.

Image: vidhyarambam day at ammanur gurukulam (Image source: facebook)

Despite its lengthy history, Chakyar Koothu continues to face challenges such as declining viewership and exclusion based on caste. However, the increasing participation of younger generations and the integration of the art form into educational settings offer hope for its continued relevance. Its preservation depends on initiatives to make the performances more interesting and approachable as well as the backing of cultural organizations.