CHAKYAAR KOOTHU

Chaakyaar koothu

Chaakyaar koothu is one of the plays performed in temples. This is enacted in the special dance hall called Koothambalam, connected to the temples. It is performed by people belonging to the Chaakyaar community. The word koothu is derived from the Sanskrit term, Koordanam which means ‘dance’.

The Chaakyaar community is a group which earns its livelihood by performing Chaakyaar koothu and Koodiyaattam. There are many versions regarding the origin of the term Chaakyaar, The Chaakyaars are believed to be people who have been ostracized from the Namboodiri Brahmin Community. The women of the community are called Illottamma.    
     


The Chaakyaar koothu consists of two parts of which one is action and the other narration . In the earlier days, the action part of it was known as koothu. There are different types of koothu, known by different names like Mantraangam koothu, Anguliiyaangam koothu, Parakkum koothu, Matta Vilaasam koothu etc. When more than one actor performs on the stage, it is called Koodiyaattam. If the actors are not more than one, it is called Chaakyaar koothu. Chaakyaar koothu, is the narrration of Puranic stories by the Chaakyaars who wear the attire of a joker and tell the story humourously.

Nobody knows how ancient this art form is. It is however clear from Chilappatikaaram that even during the reign of Chenkuttava Perumaal, Chaakyaar koothu was performed.

The Koothambalam constructed for the perfomance are edifices built according to Bharata Muni’s Natyasaastra. It mentions three types of theatres which are rectangular,quadrangular and triangular. The Koothambalam of Kerala has a green room inside at one end. Just in front of the green room is the stage. The remaining portion is left for the audience to sit.

The musical instruments used for Chaakyaar koothu are Mizhaavu, Kuzhittaalam,Itaykka and Sankhu. Of this Mizhaavu is the most important. It is said that Mizhaavu can be made from copper, bell-metal, or granite. Nowadays only Mizhaavu made of copper can be seen. Mizhaavu is a huge pot upto one’s waist. Its mouth is tied firmly with animal skin. The sound of the Mizhaavu is more majestic as its size increases.

The Chaakyaar adorns his face with the usual caste mark on the forehead (pottu), In addition soot and turmeric too are smeared on the face. There is a huge earring called Kundalam on one ear. On the other ear, he wears betel leaves and geranium flowers as earrings. A pleated costume is worn. He wears girdle and bangles. The head is tied with a red cloth.

koothu is a combination of dance and humour. As soon as the Chaakyaar comes to the stage and offers his salutations, a dance known as Chaari, starts. This dance is an offering. Hence there should be no mistakes in it. Later, prose and verse are recited and meanings given. Initially, Chaakyaar koothu was only story-telling. Each word is pronounced very slowly and in a special tune which is called Bharu Method. This special kind of pronunciation is found only in the speech of the Chaakyaars on stage. This special sound and clarity of speech are efficient to attract the attention of the distracted among the audience. It is audible, and the meaning can be grasped by the hearer.