About 

• • Dating back to 2,000 years, `Koodiyattam’ is a traditional Sanskrit theatre artform performed in Kerala. 
  • Koodiyattam is derived from the words Koodi (combined) and attam (acting), thereby referring to mixed acting as it combines elements of ancient Sanskrit theatre with Koothu, an ancient performing art from the Sangam era.

• The artform features both male and female actors.

• The key characters in Koodiyattam are Chakyaar (the main actor), Nambiyaar (instrumentalists) and Nangyaar (performers of women’s roles)

• The temples in which Koodiyattam was performed are specially designed temples called ‘Koothambalams’.

• The traditional musical instruments used in Koodiyattam are Mizhavu, Kuzhitalam, Etakka, Kurumkuzhal and Sankhu.

• Margi Madhu Chakyar is a renowned practitioner of Koodiyattam.

• It has been inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.