- Koothambalam
Koothambalam is a theater hall for staging
Koothu andKoodiyattam , the ancient dramatic art forms ofKerala ,India . Koothambalams are constructed according toNātyasāstra ofBharata Muni . It is considered as sacred as the temple sanctum itself. It is constructed within the premises of a Temple and usually the structure is about 16m long and 12m broad with a 4m square platform supported by pillars in the center. During show, the stage is decorated with fruit-bearing plaintains, bunches of coconuts and festooned with the fronds of the coconut palm. The 'para' filled with rice is placed on the stage. The 'Nilavilakku' is used for lighting the stage. The stage will have theMizhavu , a percussion instrument accompanying Koothu, placed within a railed enclosure, with a high seat for the drummer.Only men from the
Chakyar community are allowed to perform Koothu and Koodiyattam inside the Koothambalam. The women ofAmbalavasi Nambiar caste- Nangyarammas, play Nangyarkoothu and the lady characters of Koodiyattam. The traditionalAmbalavasi Nambiar s play the Mizhavu.Famous Temples with Koothambalams include the
Guruvayur Temple ,Vadakkumnathan Temple ,Koodalmanickyam Temple etc. TheKerala Kalamandalam houses a beautiful Koothambalam.References
*
Natyakalpadrumam , byPadma Shri GuruMani Madhava Chakyar ,Sangeet Natak Akademi -New Delhi , 1975.ee also
*
Nātyakalpadruma
*Nambiar
*Mizhavu
*Chakyar Koothu
*Koodiyattam
*Nātyasāstra
*Mani Madhava Chakyar
*Mani Damodara Chakyar External links
* [http://www.templenet.com/Kerala/kerala_archi.html Kerala Temple Architecture]
* [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Koothambalam-26125.htm]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.