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Home > Kerala Temples > Performing Arts > Krishnanaattam KrishnanaattamKrishnanaattamKrishnanaattam takes its origin from Krishna Geethi, initially composed by the Prince Manavedan (1595-1658) of Samuthiri Kovilakam and a contemporary of Vilwamangalam II. He described the story of Krishna in a theatrical presentation with great importance on music. It was similar to Jayadeva's Geetha Govindam. When Manavedan was elevated as Zamorin of Calicut, he wrote a series of eight dramas with the blessings of Vilwamangalam Swaamiyar (Vilwamangalam II). He completed the work on 17th November 1653. The eight plays are (1) Avathaara or incarnation of Lord (2) Kaaliya-marddana or humbling of serpent Kaaliya, (3) Raasa-kreeda or dance with Gopikas (4) Kamsavadha or killing Of Kamsa, (5) Swayamvara or choice of Krishna by Rugmini as her partner, (6) Bana-yuddha or fight with Banasura, (7) Vivida-vadham or killing of Vivida and (8) Swargaarohanam or ascension to Heaven. Only one play is staged in a day except in the case of swargaarohanam in which case it has to be succeeded by the first play ie avathaara. There is a legend that Sree Krishna appeared to Manavedan in the form of a small child and gave him a pea-cock feather as a memento. After this memorable incident the actors during krishnanaattam use a crown with pea-cock feathers. The artists are necessarily to be male youths. The percussion instruments used are suddha-maddalam, thoppi-madda!am, chengala and llatthaalam. The singers of the play are known as ponnani and sinkiti. Unlike Kathhakali where every step and mudra are based on the song. In Krjshnanaattam greater stress is given to dancing. This is evident especially when stories relating to kaaliamarddana, and raasa-kreeda etc. are staged. Staging of Krishnanaattam is an important offering in the Sree Krishna temple, Guruvayur.
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