Aksharaslokam

= Akshara Slokam (അക്ഷര ശ്ലോകം) =

Akshara Slokam (അക്ഷര ശ്ലോകം) is the unique poetical entertainment originated and developed in Malayalam (മലയാളം) language is a rich cultural heritage of Kerala. It is the forerunner of the present day Anthakshari (അന്താക്ഷരി) in a classical format with strict rules on the meter of the four line poems called Slokam or Mukthakam. A number of scholars sitting in a suitable fashion to recite either Sanskrit or Malayalm slokams ( with more than eight letters in a line ) is the method of Akshara sloka sadass(അക്ഷര ശ്ലോക സദസ്സ് ).

Aksharaslokam is a traditional way of Sloka chanting, being well practiced in Kerala, the southernmost part of India. It is mostly an unused form, but now is active with its poetry and literature focus. Kairali Solaka Rangam Palai is a famous Aksharasloka institution in Kerala.

Rules

The main rule of Akshara Sloakm is that once the recitation is started the next one in the turn has to recite a Slokam having the first letter of the third line of the previous Slokam. As a result of the language lovers in Kerala and all over the globe this classical entertainment is revived and is gaining popularity.

Akshara Slokam Groups

There are many active Akshara Sloakm groups in Kerala from Kozhikkdu to Thiruvanthapuram with Trichur as the hub of the revival and there is a very successful Akaraslokam group in internet called aksharaSlOkasadass and there is a Yahoo group for Akshara slokam.There is a magazine dedicated for slokam called Kavana Kauthukam published from Trichur.

Competitions

One of the prominent Aksharaslokam competition is the one held in connection with the Thrissur Pooram. Traditionally this competition was called the "Chakolas Gold Medal". Eventually it has been renamed now as "V. Kamalakara Menon Suvarna Mudra". Incidentally, Sri. V. Kamalakara Menon was the first recipient of the Chakolas Gold Medal. As per tradition, participants who have won the Gold Medal once do not participate in the competitions again. Currently, separate competitions are held for groups separated as per their age.

External links

* [http://aksharaslokam.usvishakh.net/ To read Akshara slokams in Malayalam]
* [http://www.enad.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=344&Itemid=61 To view/ listen video/audio on aksharaslokam]
* [http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/cawards.shtmlAkshara Slokam Competitions in Kerala]