Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre

The Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre from the province of Kerala, is the oldest living theatrical tradition in India. It is traditionally performed in the Kuttampalams, theatres located in Hindu temples. The Kutiyattam goes back more than 2,000 years and represents a unique synthesis of Sanskrit classicism and local traditions of Kerala (particularly the comic theatre in the Malayalam language).

Facial expression, especially with the eyes, movement and gestures form a very precisely codified language. Access to the performances was originally restricted because of their sacred nature, but they have progressively opened up. Nevertheless, the actor's role retains a sacred dimension, with prior purification rituals and the presence of an oil lamp on stage symbolizing divine presence during the performance. The male actors, from the Chakyar community, hand down from master to pupil extremely detailed performance manuals, which, until recent times, remained the exclusive and secret property of specific families. The action, generally an act from a classical Sanskrit play, goes into extremely precise details, to the extent that complete performances may last up to 40 days. The Kutiyattam is the only form of theatre in India where men (from the Chakyar community) and women (from the Nangiar community) perform alongside each other, accompanied by percussionists (from the Nambiar community).