Details:
- Koodiyattam, also transliterated as Kotiyattam, is a traditional performing artform in the state of Kerala, India.
- It is a combination of ancient Sanskrit theatre with elements of Koothu, a Tamil/ Malayalam performing art which is as old as Sangam era
- It has a documented history of a thousand years in Kerala
- It is traditionally performed in temple theatres known as Koothambalams
- It is the only surviving art form that uses drama from ancient Sanskrit theatre.
- It is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
- The main musical instruments used in Koodiyattam are mizhavu, kuzhitalam, edakka, kurumkuzhal, and sankhu.
- Mizhavu, the most prominent of these is a percussion instrument that is played by a person of the Ambalavas Nambiar caste, accompanied by Nangyaramma playing the kuzhithalam
