OTTAMTHULLAL

(Redirected from Thullal)

'Ottamthullal' (IPA: [oːʈːamt̪uɭːal]) is a type of performing arts from Kerala, India. Also known as the "poor mans Kathakali", Ottamthullal was created by the Malayali poet Kunchan Nambiar, as an alternative to the Chakyar koothu, as a protest against the prevalent socio-political structure and prejudices of the region. In Ottamthullal, a single actor wears colorful costumes, while reciting thullal (dance songs), all the while acting and dancing.
The art form is very satirical in nature, and the ability and freedom of the artist to invent and incorporate the humour and incidental satire makes this art form more popular among the common man. unlike Kathakali, the language is pretty simple, malayalam and very rhythmic in nature.
A popular story about the creation of the art form relates it to an incident, where Kunchan Nambiar is said to have slept off during the Chakyar koothu program where he was accompanying on Mizhavu. It says that he created the art form overnight to perform the very next day.

Contents

Birth place of Kunchan Nambiar

See also

Birth place of Kunchan Nambiar

The birth place of ''Kunchan Nambiar'' is in a small village named Killikkurussimangalam, 8 km from Ottapalam, a town in Palakkad district of Kerala, south India.
His home, where he was born - 'Kalakkathu Bhavanam' is preserved as a memorial and is a museum of Ottamthullal and related art forms. A library named ''Kunchan Memorial Library'' where manuscripts and documents related to performing arts of Kerala are archived.
The home of the legendary Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu artist and noted Natyashasthra scholar ''Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri'' Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar, who was considered as the authority of ''Abhinaya'' (acting) is also in the same place.

See also

★ Arts of Kerala

★ Killikkurussimangalam

★ Mani Madhava Chakyar

★ Chakyar koothu

★ Kathakali

★ Mohiniyattam

★ Koodiyattam

★ Panchavadyam

★ Kerala Kalamandalam