Reviving Ravanankam: Koodiyattam's Precarious Path

The ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition of Koodiyattam is experiencing a revival with the rare staging of 'Ravanankam' at the Moozhikulam Sree Lakshmana temple. This revival, part of Nepathya's Koodiyattam festival, showcases an act from Bhasa's 'Pratima Natakam' that has not been performed in its complete form for centuries. The tradition, which dates back approximately 2,000 years, faces significant challenges due to poor documentation and reliance on oral transmission.

Despite being recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, Koodiyattam receives minimal institutional support from the Kerala government. This lack of backing, coupled with a dwindling number of practitioners, particularly male artists, threatens the art form's continuity. While more young women are showing interest, retaining male artists is a major concern due to financial instability.

The revival of 'Ravanankam', which explores the inner world of Ravana as a learned sage, highlights Koodiyattam's unique capacity for deep character exploration. The festival also features 'Mayasitankam', presenting two distinct versions of Sita's abduction, showcasing the varied narratives within the tradition. The ongoing struggle for Koodiyattam's survival underscores a broader challenge of preserving India's classical heritage in the face of modernization.