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Nanniar or Nangiar Koothu
Nanniar or Nangiar Koothu, is a dance form of the Koodiyattom genre conducted
in some prominent Kerala temples purely as a ceremonial ritual.
The dance form is presented only by women. The Nanniars, who are the womenfolk
of the Nambiar community, stage the Nanniar Koothu in a hereditary tradition.
The plot of the Nanniar Koothu staged by Nanniars is the story of Srikrishna
(Krishna Charitham). It is presented in solo dance style for twelve
consecutive days. When the dancer performs, a vocalist recites the Sanskrit
slokas (verses) accompanied
by the percussion instruments, mizhavu,
edakka
and thimila, as in Koodiyattom.
The 'nirvahanam' by the cheti is performed as Nanniar koothu.
On the first day of the performance of a Nanniar Koothu, nritta (pure
dance) is given more importance than abhinaya (acting). The performance
begins with a dance called Purvaranga nritta in which many artistic and
harmonized movements of the feet and body are shown. No less than 64 charis
(rhythmic gaits) were in use in this art form. The Nanniar, copy the Maravil
Kriya (ritual behind the curtain) dance of Chakyar, who was a veteran
acharya of Koothu and add a few charis as an encore for the Purvaranga
(preliminary ritual). In the manuscript copy of Nanniar Koothu known as
'Attaprakaram', there are 208 slokas with details of their acting pattern.
Among the danseuses of ancient Kerala names such as Nangai, Nannai, Nannacci
and Talinamma were very common. So it is reasonable to assume that Nanniars
descended from the families of these danseuses or perhaps they descended
from the community of Devadasis of Kerala.
In Trichur Vadakkumnatha temple, Ambalapuzha Srikrishna
temple, Irinjalakuda Kootalmanikyam temple, Trippunittura Purnatrayeswara
temple and Kottayam Kumaranellore Bhagavati temple, Nanniar Koothu is
still conducted as a ritual offering though on a nominal scale. In the
Vadakkumnatha temple at Trichur and in the Ambalapuzha temple, Nanniar
Koothu performance starts on the day preceding Ashtamirohini day i.e.
Sri Krishna's birthday. In the Koodalmanikyam temple at Iringalakuda this
Koothu starts in the month of 'Medam' on the star-day 'Uttram' and continues
for twelve consecutive days. In the Trippunithura temple this Koothu starts
on the Utsava (Festival) day in the Chingam month and continues for eight
days. Usually the Koothu is held during day time. But on Ashtami Rohini
day, Nanniar Koothu is held at midnight to coincide with the birth. It
is also enjoined by the rules of the temple that Krishnavatara must be
enacted at that time and not any other story. This custom is not strictly
followed now.
Nanniar Koothu is staged in the 'Koothambalam'- a theatre
with exquisite carvings and paintings forming part of important temple
complexes in Kerala. But in case of temples having no Koothambalam's,
Nanniar Koothu could be conducted in the Oottupura (dining hall). Only
on one special occasion can this Koothu be conducted outside the temple
precincts. When an Akkittiri (a Brahmin who has qualified himself to perform
yagas) dies and is cremated, Nanniar Koothu is conducted in a temporary
shed put up near the burial ground, to ensure purification for the soul
of the dead and is called Chudala (cremation ground) Koothu. This Koothu
is conducted with special care to avoid any blunders, for it is widely
believed that any short comings would cost the danseuses her life.
In the families known as Villuvattam, Kosampilli, Melatt
and Edatt (Nambiar families) there are Nanniars who can conduct Nanniar
Koothu. Most of the Nanniars who can handle this art-form now are
past sixty years of age. Even among them there is none who can do the
whole performance. Most of them can only demonstrate the art from as a
ritual. The fact is that for the last many years there has not been any
strict training in the art form for lack of encouragement and patronage
from temple authorities. This art form with its unique artistic value
is on the brink of extinction. The fees for performing Nanniar Koothu
is very low and it is a pitiable plight for the artistes engaged in this
art form.
One of the recent innovators of this dance form is danseuse
Sathi Devi (Margi Sathi) from the Margi Koodiyattom troupe who introduced
'Ramayana' and 'Kannaki Charitham' to the Nangiar Koothu repertoire, bringing
about a change in the centuries old tradition of performing only Krishna
Charitham plots.
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