I had been to see the performance of this artist (Margi Usha ) at the Parasurama Temple in Thiruvallam , Kerala, recently
All the characters of the story will be enacted by one person to the accompaniment of the mizhavu played by the Nambiar's
, the male members of a drummer sub-caste of temple dwellers and the
kuzhithalam (cymbals) played by the Nangiar, the female members of this
community.
As the name indicates, Nangiar koothu is performed by a woman of the Nambiar community.
With the founding of the Ammanur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam (Training centre for kutiyattam) in 1982 in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district, by Padmasree Ammanur Madhava Chakyar, the last of the outstanding kutiyattam guru like Parameshwar Chakyar and Mani Madhava Chakyar, the revival of Nangiar koothu as the only artform of women in Kerala was taken up, too.
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Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple is a 2000 year old temple, which is based
on the banks of River Karamana. This temple is the only temple in the
world that is dedicated to Lord Parasurama, who is believed to be the
mythological creator of Kerala. During the Karkidaka Vavu day, devotees
pay homage to the departed souls of their forefathers. As part of the
religious ritual, devotees pray after taking a dip in the holy water of
this temple.
According to history, this temple was built during the 12th and 13th
centuries. Managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board, this temple is a
protected monument under the Archaeology Department of Kerala. Located
about 9 km away from Kovalam Beach, this temple can be accessed by taxi
or auto-rickshaw.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nangyar_Koothu
Iam sorry , this Quick painting do not do justice to the artist.. | | |
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The painting may be quick, but the eyes are really soulful and melancholic.
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