I still have memories of 'Chakkiar Koothu' performed by great artists every year in the temple next to our house in Trichur, Kerala. It is a great art form. If you are sitting in the front row among audience, it is almost certain that you will be made fun by 'Chakkiar'. Mani Madhava Chakkiar was a very famous Chakkiar koothu artist
The Koottu or more properly Chakyar koottu is a similar institution from immemorial times. The Chakkiars are a peculiar sect of people. They are said to be the off spring of Brahmin parents begotten as the result of illegal relationships. Hence they are a socially fallen caste. On important utsavam and atjer occasion in koottu is performed inside the buildings attaché to temple and specially set apart from the purpose. The actor dresses up in a quaint style with brummagem bracelets on the forearms and the feet. Around his waist he ties a peculiar cloth with a ridiculous profusion of folds all round and reaching barely up to the knee. He were a head dress also; and with ashes and sandal smeared all over the body comes in to perform his koottu. Chakkiar women are known as Nangiars, one of whom is always present by the side of the Chakkiar when engaged in his performance. A tom- tom is beaten by one called Nambiar in the interval between the recitation of the slokas and the explanation of their meanings. The Koottu consist in the recitation by the Chakkiar of certain Puranic slokas and his comments on them; which he does in very funny and pointed ways.
The Koottu or more properly Chakyar koottu is a similar institution from immemorial times. The Chakkiars are a peculiar sect of people. They are said to be the off spring of Brahmin parents begotten as the result of illegal relationships. Hence they are a socially fallen caste. On important utsavam and atjer occasion in koottu is performed inside the buildings attaché to temple and specially set apart from the purpose. The actor dresses up in a quaint style with brummagem bracelets on the forearms and the feet. Around his waist he ties a peculiar cloth with a ridiculous profusion of folds all round and reaching barely up to the knee. He were a head dress also; and with ashes and sandal smeared all over the body comes in to perform his koottu. Chakkiar women are known as Nangiars, one of whom is always present by the side of the Chakkiar when engaged in his performance. A tom- tom is beaten by one called Nambiar in the interval between the recitation of the slokas and the explanation of their meanings. The Koottu consist in the recitation by the Chakkiar of certain Puranic slokas and his comments on them; which he does in very funny and pointed ways.
The Chakkiars are formidable critics of men and things.
They always possess the requisite cleverness to apply the context of a
recited sloka in an extremely amusing fashion to particular person
amongst the assembled spectators and making the whole company of them
enjoy a hearty laugh over it. The received etiquette is that no one is
to take offence at jocks cracked by Chakkiars nor even laugh loudly at
them; any infraction of the etiquette will sufficiently justify their
suddenly stopping the performance. They are of course remunerated by the
temple authorities.
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