Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar (1928–2009) was an exponent of Koodiyattam,[1] a traditional form of Sanskrit theatre from Kerala, which has been recognised by UNESCO as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Mankind.[2] Born in a family of Koodiyattam performers, in 1928, at Ammannur, a small hamlet near Irinjalakuda, in Thrissur district in the south Indian state of Kerala, Chakyar had his early training in the art form from within his family. Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, a renowned Koodiyattam performer and a Padmabhushan awardee, was his cousin and the two, later, would evolve a new school of performance, popularly known as the Ammannur tradition of Koodiyattam.[3] When Margi, an institution promoting traditional art forms of Kerala, started their Koodiyattam training centre in 1981, he was the first residential guru.[4] The institution imparted training to many aspiring performers[5][6] which included two sons of Chakyar, Margi Sajeev Narayana Chakiar[7] and Margi Madhu[8] and both of them are known exponents of the art form. In 1998, Chakyar joined Nepathya, a centre for excellence in Kudiyattam, as the Mukhya Acharya (Head Teacher), and continued his association with the institution till his last.[9] The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2008, for his contributions to Arts.[10] He died in 2009, at the age of 81.[2] He is remembered by an annual festival, Guru Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar Memorial Kutiyttam Festival, at Moozhikkulam, a suburb of Kochi where Nepathya is headquartered in,[2][11] and through orations organised by Nepathya.[12]
Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1928 Ammannur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India |
| Died | 2009 |
| Occupation | Koodiyattam performer |
| Known for | Koodiyattam |
| Children | Margi Madhu Margi Sajeev Narayana Chakiar |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Ananda Lal, ed. (2004). "Chakyar, Moozhikulam Kochukuttan". The Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195644463.
- ^ a b c "Guru Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar Memorial Kutiyttam Festival". Welcome Kerala. April 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ "Centre for Excellence in Kudiyattam". Nepathya. 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "History - Margi Theatre". Margi Theatre. 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ Janardanan, P. K. (7 May 2015). "Carrying forward a rich legacy". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Maestro of the Mizhavu". Bjawani Cheerath. 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Margi Sajeev Narayana Chakiar". Thiraseela. 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Margi Madhu: Nepathya is my dream project". Narthaki. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "About Us". Nepathya. 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ^ "A visual treat". Indian Express. 2010. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Programme sheet" (PDF). Nepathya. 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
External links
edit- "With Respect". Natya Dharmi. 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
 | This theatrical biography is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Indian biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |