Kerala Tourism Krishnanattam

Krishnattam dance is another form of Kathakali.
This representing the various life stages of Lord Krishna.
This ritualistic dance –drama performed in
the Guruvayoor Krishna Temple of Kerala.

The seventeenth century poet and scholar
Manaveda of Kozhikode remodeled Astapadiyattam
as votive offering to Lord Krishna and given
the name Krishnaattam.
The text and play is called Krishna-geeti.
It has been greatly influenced by Geetagovinda of Jayadev.
The traditional Krishnattam dance is a series of 8 plays
indicating the 8 main stages of lord Krishna's life.

These 8 stages are:
• Avataram
• Kaliyamardanam
• Rasakrida
• Kamsavadham
• Swayamvaram
• Banayuddham
• Vividavadham
• Swargarohanam
The dancers use set of gestures and movements.
The make up is similar to Kathakali
Most of the actor's faces are treated with heavy
and stylized masks-like make up. Female characters
are given light make up.

The charactros like Narakasura, Murasura, Brahma,
Ghandhakarna, Dharmaraja, Poothana, Vividhavadham etc wear masks.
These masks are carved from a single block of wood
and painted in bright red ,green, black and white
with bold lines and curves. Most of these masks are
integrated with head gear.

The dancer expresses himself through these elaborate
movements and gestures. They do not speak or sing.
The dances are usually performed by a group of artists
instead of solo performers. The music is usually sung
by singers and each line is repeated several times
to give the artists ample time to express themselves
as vividly as they can.

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