Krishnattam or Krishnanattam, a product of the
Bhakti Movement, is a dramatic form based on
Lord Krishna’s life presented at the
Guruvayoorappan Temple,
Thrissur in
Kerala. It is a milestone in the evolution of dance-drama. Originally, it was based on the Sanskrit poem
Krishnagiti, mostly written in quatrains by the
Zamorin King Manavedan in 1654. He was a great researcher and supporter of art, and has been regarded as the inventor of Krishnattam. The performers of this art were called
Chakyars. The performers wear costumes and makeup to resemble
Kathakali and folk arts like
Mudiyettu and
Theyyam. The story of Krishna as told in the
puranas and epics such as Srimad
Bhagavata,
Mahabharata and
Harivamsa is presented as a sequence of eight plays over a period of eight days. Song, dance and acting are features of this art form. It is performed to the accompaniment of
Madalam,
Ilathalam and
Chengila.
