Kriya Natyasala
Centre for Kutiyattam Research and Practice
Kriya Natyasala
Kriya Natyasala has been set up to facilitate the study, performances and research on Kūṭiyāṭṭaṁ. Kriya’s main focus is to nurture this great theatre tradition and pass it on to the next generation. Hence Kriya works towards presenting Sanskrit plays in their complete form which is the heart and soul of Kūṭiyāṭṭaṁ. We organise performances of Kūṭiyāṭṭaṁ and allied artforms such as nangiarkoothu, chakyarkoothu, padakam and mizhavu percussion ensembles. Besides we also organise interactive workshops. lecture demonstrations and abhinaya workshops for students and arts enthusiasts.
About Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre
Koodiyattam is a traditional form of Sanskrit theatre that originated in Kerala, India, more than 2,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest surviving theatre art forms in the world and is known for its highly stylized and ritualistic performances.
The word Kutiyattam is derived from the prefix koodi in Malayalam which stands for “combined” or “together ” and “attam” which means “acting”. Simply put it is a theatre in which several characters come together on the stage.
The art form was in decline for many years but has experienced a revival in recent decades thanks to efforts to preserve and promote it. In 2001, UNESCO recognized Koodiyattam as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Today, it is considered a cultural treasure of India and a testament to the country’s rich artistic heritage.
