Department of Kutiyattam - Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed to be University

Rasa Dhàra : The Experience of Kutiyattam
- 9th Edition
Kutiyattam
Thoranayudham - Day 1

Rasa Dhàra : The Experience of Kutiyattam
- 8th Edition
Chakyar Koothu / Prabandhakoothu

Photos of Kutiyattam Lecture Demonstration & Surpanakhankam Kutiyattam at K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts

Photos of Kutiyattam Lecture Demonstration & Surpanakhankam Kutiyattam at K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts

Koodiyattam Performance at KRNNIVSA As part of the Master’s in Residence Program (an initiative by Chairman Saeed Akhtar Mirza), students of the K. R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts (KRNNIVSA) had the opportunity to experience one of the world’s oldest surviving theatre traditions through a special program by Kerala Kalamandalam on 10 March 2026. The second day of the program featured a lecture-demonstration on Koodiyattam followed by the performance Soorpanakhankam. This performance is drawn from the Sanskrit play Ascharyachudamani, believed to have been written in the 8th or 9th century by the Kerala playwright Sakthibhadra. The narrative places the character of Surpanakha at the centre of the stage, exploring her emotions, desire, humiliation, and rage through the highly refined expressive vocabulary of Koodiyattam. Through intricate mudras, subtle eye movements, and deeply nuanced navarasas, the Kerala Kalamandalam artists demonstrated a powerful form of storytelling that has few parallels in world theatre. The session provided KRNNIVSA’s filmmaking students with an immersive understanding of the classical performance grammar of Koodiyattam, allowing them to observe micro-expression, embodied acting, visual dramaturgy, and performative time—elements that can deeply inform cinematic performance, direction, and visual storytelling. It also created a meaningful opportunity to compare classical acting systems with contemporary film acting practices. Kerala Kalamandalam, founded in 1930 by the visionary poet Vallathol Narayana Menon along with Manakkulam Mukunda Raja at Cheruthuruthy near Thrissur, stands as India’s foremost deemed university dedicated to classical performing arts with support from the Government of Kerala. The Master’s in Residence Program aims to foster meaningful creative exchanges between students and eminent practitioners from diverse fields including cinema, arts, literature, and culture.

Rasa Dhàra : The Experience of Kutiyattam
- 7th Edition
Nangiarkoothu
Sri Krishna Avatharam

Rasa Dhàra : The Experience of Kutiyattam
- 6th Edition
Kutiyattam
Naganandam
Jeemoothavahana : Kalamandalm Krishna kumar

🙏The Department of Kutiyattam deeply mourns the passing of Guru Kalamandalam Ram Mohan, who shared an unbreakable bond with Kutiyattam. Our heartfelt tributes 🙏

Rasa Dhàra : The Experience of Kutiyattam
- 6th Edition
Kutiyattam
Naganandam

The Surpanakhankam Kutiyattam performance by Kerala Kalamandalam at the International Festival of Theatre Schools on January 21, 2026, was watched and appreciated by a large and discerning audience comprising theatre enthusiasts and professionals.