Paper short abstract:

The Naṅṅyār Kūttu is a solo stage form related to the Sanskrit classical theatre–Kūṭiyāṭṭam (Kerala, South India). The only subject of the Naṅṅyār Kūttu is a story of Kṛṣṇa’s life staged in many episodes. The Naṅṅyār Kūttu is still meant as a ritual in Hindu temples of Kerala.

Paper long abstract:

The Naṅṅyār Kūttu is a female artist solo stage form related to the Sanskrit classical theatre - Kūṭiyāṭṭam (Kerala, South India). The subject of the Naṅṅyār Kūttu is Kṛṣṇa's life(enacting is based on the text ŚrīKṛṣṇacaritam).The only figure on the stage is Kalpalatikā, a maid of Subhadrā (Kṛṣṇa'ssister). In the Naṅṅyār Kūttu an actress is free to transform her personage of Subhadrā's maid into many other characters (gods, demons, humans and even animals).Thus she is able to present Kṛṣṇa's life adventures on different levels and from various angles.

The great art of the Naṅṅyār Kūttu was preserved through the annual performances in the kūttambalams, or temple theatre buildings, in several temples of Kerala The Naṅṅyār Kūttu is meant as a ritual while performed in the temple premises (only in a few temples now a days). This unique theatre form is presented by actresses called Naṅṅyārs belonging to Nampyār families (temple musicians). The members of these families are only allowed to perform the Naṅṅyār Kūttu in the kūttambalam since it is the irreligious duty (kuladharma). Quite a number of dedicated Naṅṅyārs sacrificed their life to preserve and transmit the art of enacting the ŚrīKṛṣṇacaritam from generation to generation. Compared with the old style presentation, the Naṅṅyār Kūttu of the present is more developed due to essential additions that nourish the condense stage presentation of the past.The ritual of the performance has become much more elaborated.