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[[File:Krishnanattam (théâtre rituel du Kerala).jpg|thumb|Krishnanattam]]

'''Krishnaattam''' ([[Malayalam]]: കൃഷ്ണാട്ടം, [[IAST]]: Kṛṣṇanāṭṭaṃ) is a temple art in [[Kerala]], India. It is a dance drama and presents the story of [[Krishna]] in a series of eight plays and was created by [[Manaveda]] (1585–1658 AD), the then [[Zamorin]] Raja of [[Kozhikode|Calicut]] in northern [[Kerala]].<ref name="chintha.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.chintha.com/kerala/krishnanattam-history-origin.html|title=Krishnanattam - History and Origin - chintha|publisher=}}</ref> The eight plays are: Avataram, Kaliyamardanam, Rasakrida, Kamsavadham, Swayamvaram, Banayuddham, Vividavadham and Swargarohanam.<ref>Comprehensive Study of Indian Folk Music and Culture, Volume 11,page 228</ref> It survives in its glory at the [[Guruvayur temple|Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple]] ([[Thrissur]] district, Kerala, India).

The troupe of players, once maintained by [[Zamorin of Calicut]] came to [[Guruvayur Devaswom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/krattam.html|title=[www.guruvayurdevaswom.org] - KRISHNANATTAM|publisher=}}</ref> in 1958.The only troupe of artists are well maintained by devaswom till date.

==Origin==
Krishnanattam is based on Krishnagiti (1654 AD) written by [[Manaveda]], [[Zamorin of Kozhikode]].<ref>History of Indian theatre ,vol 1,page 93</ref> It is believed that the Zamorin had a vision of Krishna who gave the king a [[peacock]] feather, which became the living symbol of this dance-drama. Krishnanattam players wore a peacock feather and thus commemorated the vision of the chieftain.<ref>The Contribution of Kerala to Sanskrit Literature, K. Kunjunni Raja - 1980,page 99</ref>

==The legend==
[[File:Krishnanattam Mudra.jpg|thumb|Krishnanattam Mudra]]

King [[Manaveda]] told Vilwamangalam about his ambition to view Krishna. The next day the Swamiyar told him that Guruvayurappan has given his consent and [[Manaveda]] can see [[Guruvayurappan]] playing in the early hours of the morning at the platform of the Elanji tree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sangeethasabha.blogspot.in/2010/08/manavedans-krishnageethi-story.html|title=Manavedan's 'Krishnageethi'-the story|date=5 August 2010|publisher=}}</ref> He could only see and not touch Him. When as per this agreement, [[Manaveda]] saw [[Guruvayurappan]] in the form of little child Sri Krishna, he was so excited that he forgot himself and, rushed to embrace little Sree [[Krishna]]. Guruvayoorappan immediately disappeared saying, "Vilwamangalam did not tell me that this will happen". However, [[Manaveda]] got one [[peacock feather]] from the headgear of Bhagavan [[Krishna]].<ref name="chintha.com"/>
The peacock feather was incorporated in the headgear for the character of Sri Krishna in the dance drama Krishnanattam based on his own text krishnageeti which is composed of 8 chapters . It was performed near the sanctum sanctorum of the [[Guruvayur]] Temple. On the ninth day, Avatharam was repeated as the [[Zamorin]] felt that it was not auspicious to end the series with the demise of Lord Krishna.<ref>Bhavan's journal ,vol 33,page 97</ref> The blessed art form is still maintained by [[Guruvayur devaswom]] and staged as an offering by [[Devotional cults in India|devotees]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&q=Krishnanattam&pg=PA317|title=Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections|last=Ayyappappanikkar|date=1 January 1997|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=9788126003655|via=Google Books}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Monunent of Manaveda in Guruvayur.jpg|Monument of Manaveda in Guruvayur
File:Krishnanattam kalari.jpg|Krishnanattam kalari in Guruvayur near 'Office Ganapathy' temple where the art is taught.
</gallery>

==Author==
Samoothiri Manavedan Raja (1585–1658 AD) had education from Anayath Krishna pisharody and Desamangalath varrier.

He wrote Poorva bharatha champu (Sanskrit) in 1643.<ref>Krsngitih of Manaveda, Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts, page 56</ref> He completed Krishnanattam on 16 November 1653.<ref name="malayalamresourcecentre1">{{cite web |url=http://www.malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/culture/artforms/krishnanaattam/krishnanaattam.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-02-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130704045348/http://www.malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/culture/artforms/krishnanaattam/krishnanaattam.html |archivedate=4 July 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> His statue was installed near 'Panjajanyam' guest house in [[Guruvayur]].

==Krishnageethi==
The [[Sanskrit]] text based on which Krishnanattam was created was written on A.D 1653, aged 68.<ref>Martin Banham - 1995,The Cambridge Guide to Theatre, page 614</ref> It consists of eight plays: [[Avataram]], [[Kaliyamardanam (play)|Kaliyamardanam]], [[Rasakrida]], [[Kamsavadham]], [[Swayamvaram (play)|Swayamvaram]], [[Banayuddham]], [[Vividavadham]], and [[Swargarohanam]].It is based on 10th and 11th skandhas of [[Bhagavata Purana]] dealing solely the story of [[Krishna]].<ref>Martha Bush Ashton-Sikora, Robert Peter Sikora,Krishnattam, page 201</ref> It has also gained inspirations from [[Gita Govinda]] of [[Jayadeva]], [[Sree krishna vilaasam]] [[mahakavya]] and [[Narayaniyam]] of [[Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guruvayur.com/Krishnanattam.htm|title=Welcome to Guruvayur.. The Bhooloka vaikunda ....|publisher=}}</ref>

Opening [[sloka meter|sloka]] of Krishnanattam is
*{{transliteration|sa|Jagathi sukritilokai: nandithaananthidaasa}}
*{{transliteration|sa|Kalaviranithavamsiibhasamanaasamana}}|
*{{transliteration|sa|Pashupayuvathibhogya devathaadevathaa saa}}
*{{transliteration|sa|Sajalajaladhapaliimechaka me chakaasthu}}<ref name="malayalamresourcecentre1"/>

Apart from such slokas it is also adorned by many padyageethams like that of [[Gita Govinda]] of [[Jayadeva]].Krishnagiti is a masterpiece work in [[sanskrit]] by a [[keralite]].

==The stories==
[[File:Krishnanattam 1.ogg|thumb|Staged at Melpathur auditorium during utsavam]]The eight plays are: Avataram, Kaliyamardanam, Rasakrida, Kamsavadham, Swayamvaram, Banayuddham, Vividavadham and Swargarohanam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kerala.me/art_krishnanaattam.php |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-02-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811155136/http://kerala.me/art_krishnanaattam.php |archivedate=11 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> its easily memorised by a [[mnemonic]] "a-ka-ra-ka-swa-bha-vi-swa".On the ninth day, Avatharam is repeated.<ref>Journal of South Asian Literature.Vol 10(1997),page 65</ref>
The various benefits of Krishnanattam as an offering are listed here.

#Avatharam for a birth of a child.
#Kaliyamardhanam to remove the effect of [[poison]].
#Rasakreeda well being of unmarried girls, to end disputes between [[wikt:couple|couples]].
#Kamsavaddham to remove [[enemy|enemies]].
#Swayamvaram for a happy [[matrimony]].
#Bana yuddham to remove impoverishment, for good farm production.
#Vividha vadham to eliminate poverty and increase yield from farms.
#Swargarohanam for [[peace]] of a departed [[soul]].<ref>http://www.guruvayuronline.com/index.php/temple/temple-offerings/special-offerings/179-krishnanattam</ref>

==Costumes, Makeup and related Rituals==
All four aspects of a drama, as told by [[Bharata Muni]]-viz, Angika, Vachika, Aharya and Satvika are well coordinated in it.

The teachers and artists themselves made the [[costumes]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections |author=Ayyappappanikkar |page=223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&q=manaveda&pg=PA317|isbn=9788126003655 |year=1997 }}</ref> The basic costume differed for male and female characters. The dress of male characters consisted of
#a starched gathered [[petticoat]]
#a gathered white skirt with orange/orange-red and black horizontal stripes near the bottom
#[[bell (instrument)|bell]]s attached to leather pads to tie below the knees
#a long-sleeved shirt open at the back, secured by ties
#a breast-plate
#chest [[ornament (art)|ornament]]s of [[beads]] and fresh [[flora]]
#a girdle
#upper arm and wrist ornaments
#one shawl or more with a mirror at each end
#ear and forehead ornaments; and
#a headdress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justkerala.in/culture/kerala-dance-forms/krishnanattam|title=Krishnanattam Temple Dance Kerala - Krishnattam Traditional Dance of Kerala|publisher=}}</ref>

For the female characters the basic costume included
#a long, almost floor-length white gathered skirt with red border, wrapped so that the material crossed in the back
#a long sleeved blouse which was open in the back, secured by ties
#a girdle
#arm ornaments
#a wooden breast plate with the breasts covered in red cloth and with ornamentation above and below the breasts.

Female characters tie strings of [[bell (instrument)|bell]]s around their ankles. These are called chilanka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetsinfolab.com/horizonguruvayur.com/krishnanattam.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-02-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130411160507/http://www.planetsinfolab.com/horizonguruvayur.com/krishnanattam.html |archivedate=11 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The actors used any or three colours for their basic make-up.
#[[pazhuppu]], an orange with more red than yellow
#[[minukku]], an orange with more yellow than red
#[[Paccha]], a particular shade of green which has more yellow than blue. If he was to wear a chutti the chutti artist applies it. The chutti was two white protruding borders which extended from ear to ear along the jaw and chin line.<ref>''Annals of Oriental Research'', Volume 12, [[University of Madras]], page 223-229</ref>

The green for [[Krishna]] as a young child has more yellow than blue. Before applying make-up the actor prostrated himself before the oil lamp and thought of the God [[Guruvayoorappan]].<ref name="books.google.co.in">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KRz5ykKRVAEC&q=Krishnanattam&pg=PA109|title=Dance Dialects of India|first=Ragini|last=Devi|date=1 January 1990|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=9788120806740|via=Google Books}}</ref>

The most sacred part of the Krishnanattam costume is the headgear.<ref>A panorama of Indian dances,Yu. Es Kr̥ṣṇarāv, Yu. Ke Candrabhāgādēvi,1983,page 43</ref> There are two basic kinds of head dress; a mudi, 'hair that has been wound into a bun and a kiriitam 'a [[Coronet|crown]]'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/12-09/features1569.htm|title=The Sampradaya Sun - Independent Vaisnava News - Feature Stories - December 2009|publisher=}}</ref>

==Training==
Training for artists starts as early as 10 years for 'vesham' and music, 5 years for [[Madhalam]] and chutti.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

==Performances==
Night performances in [[Guruvayur]] temple in north to Lord [[Guruvayurappan]] occurs as offering by devotees. Apart from performing all over India, its reaches are spanning over Europe and the United States.
Europe-1980, U.S.A-1985,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianastro.indianclassicals.com/krishnanattam.htm|title=Welcome to Indian Classicals.Com - Krishnanattam|publisher=}}</ref> Singapore, Paris.

==Present setup==
Consists of over 70 employees under Guruvayur Devaswom. Bookings have to be done through Devaswom alone. The rates for one kadha inside the guruvayur temple is rs.3000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/krishnanattam/article4036428.ece?css=print*|title=Krishnanattam|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 October 2012|publisher=}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery caption="Krishnanattam(കൃഷ്ണനാട്ടം)" widths="200px" heights="150px" perrow="5">
File:Krishnanattam_gryr_1.jpg|
File:Krishnanattam_gryr_2.jpg|
File:Krishnanattam_gryr_3.jpg|
File:Krishnanattam_1.jpg|
File:കൃഷ്ണനാട്ടം_.jpg|
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Bharata Muni]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
*[http://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/krattam.html guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in]
*[http://www.dvaipayana.net/krishnanattam Krishnattam]
*[http://neokerala.com/art-forms/krishnanattam-temple-art-form-kerala/ Neokerala.com]
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/krishnanattam/article4036428.ece?css=print thehindu.com]
*[http://indianastro.indianclassicals.com/krishnanattam.htm indianastro.indianclassicals.com]
*[http://www.guruvayur.com/Krishnanattam.htm guruvayur.com]
*[https://archive.today/20130411160507/http://www.planetsinfolab.com/horizonguruvayur.com/krishnanattam.html planetsinfolab.com]
*[http://www.korzo.nl/en/productions/film-krishnanattam korzo.nl]
*[http://krishnattam.tripod.com/picture_book/ krishnattam.tripod.com]
*[https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/109  ''Dance dialext of India'']
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&pg=PA317&lpg=PA317&dq=Krishnanattam&source=bl&ots=uFrvPA7_mL&sig=mJYxmPjdVMTSnhoXj25qkOYFYoA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=L74pUcwMhdatB8ONgMgL&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAzhu#v=onepage&q=Krishnanattam&f=false ''Kirishananattam'']
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=cZAOAQAAMAAJ ''Medieval Indian Literature'']
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=WRX0AAAAMAAJ&q=manaveda&dq=manaveda&hl=ml&sa=X&ved=0CDwQ6AEwBjgyahUKEwjWutyH69rIAhUFBI4KHTOaBzo ''A panorama of Indian dances'']
{{coord missing|Kerala}}

[[Category:Culture of Kerala]]
[[Category:Performing arts in India]]
[[Category:Dances of Kerala]]
[[Category:Theatre in India]]
[[Category:Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]]
[[Category:Arts of Kerala]]
[[Category:Religious vernacular drama]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]

Krishnanattam - Revision history

UpdateBot at 14:12, 29 June 2022