Krishnanattam

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This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.

In brief

From the archives of "India Today", 2009

Traditional dance forms have always evolved from temples and flourished under royal patronage. With the concept dwindling, art forms like Krishnanattam have taken a beating. In 1654, Prince Manvedan of Kozhikode scripted and bequeathed a unique performing art to the cultural stream of Kerala that culminated in the form of the world-renowned Kathakali.

In 1958, as the dance form struggled to cope with the changing socio-political scenario, it was taken over by the Guruvayoor Devaswom. Till then, this art form had been confined to the city of Kozhikode alone.

Though Kathakali has received much patronage and attention from the state Government, Krishnanattam, which is the originator of Kathakali, is in the throes of extinction. “There are few families in Kerala who are committed to carrying on this tradition. What is needed is sustained financial help to the children of these artistes who are either dancers or musicians,” says Deepti Omcherry Bhalla, a Mohiniattam dancer. It has also been seen that Krishnanattam dancers imitate Kathakali which in turn is diluting the art form. It is not a happy outcome and one can only hope the original forms don’t get wiped out.