Natya Rasa, an online webinar that highlighted the ancient 2000-year Indian theatre art form of Koodiyattam was organised recently by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence. A first of its kind webinar on the subject, the captivating session augmented the awareness and understanding of India’s only surviving Sanskrit theatre art for those in Britain and beyond. It also holds the distinction of being the second event organised by Sanskruti Centre in the series of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in the UK.
Eminent Guru Painkulam Narayana Chakyar has joined from Kerala to speak on the occasion. He has outlined and demonstrated various aspects of Koodiyattam in terms of gestures used, costume, makeup, characterisation and enactment with the help of PowerPoint and video clips. Some specific characters such as Brihannala, Soorpanakha and Jatayu were shown. The Navarasas (nine emotions in dance) were demonstrated beautifully by Guru Chakyar and an explanation was provided by Salini. In the end, there was a Q and A where Cllr Sharad Jha of the UK and few others from abroad have sought clarification on different aspects of Koodiyattam. Vote of Thanks was presented by Ragasudha Vinjamuri and the work and credentials of the Guru were presented by Manju Sunil.
