Chakyarkoothu is an art form that reveals the power of words. An epic story is elaborately narrated for several days continuously. But nowadays, full presentation of a tale has become a rarity.
‘Santhanagopalam’, a prabandham (literary composition) by Aswathy Thirunal Rama Varma (Elaya Thampuran of erstwhile Travancore during the second half of the 18th century), was presented comprehensively for seven days by Ammannur Kuttan Chakyar at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura. Kuttan Chakyar, even at the age of 64, took pains to learn this rhetoric and performed it on the stage. This literary work contains beautiful poems and lengthy prose that have immense scope for elaboration.
The gravity and seriousness of the content and the lack of humour might be the reason for the retreat of this narrative from the stage. But, as a few people think, Chakyarkoothu is not all about fun and joke. Artistry, style, interpretations, embellishments, imaginations, emotions and tone variations are the fundamentals of this art. Satire and social criticism add flavour to the show.
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Kuttan Chakyar preserves the Ammannur tradition of purity without diluting the substance or playing to the gallery.
This was only his third presentation of this story, and there was a little bit of hesitance and stammering during the performance.