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Adoor Gopalkrishnan chases an ancient art
Adoor Gopalkrishnan`s themes have continued to be defiantly unusual. This time, the master filmmaker documents Koodiyattom, said to be the world`s most ancient theatre form, and now nearly extinct.
When the master filmmaker takes a close look at something, rest assured you will get a majestic treat. Adoor Gopalkrishnan`s documentary on Koodiyattom proves that the art of documentary filmmaking has not yet lost its glory.
Koodiyattom, said to be the world`s most ancient theatre form, is now once again being rejuvenated in Kerala. It has a history of 2,000 years. (In contrast, Kathakali, the most popular art form from Kerala, is just 500 years old.)
The most notable fact you discover is that Koodiyattom had allowed women participants, even though Kathakali, which came much later did not accommodate them. Written and choreographed in Sanskrit, this art form has been withdrawn from public stage and is taking refuge in some temples. The project to make a documentary of Koodiyattom was born in Paris where a team from UNESCO watched a full-length Koodiyattom show. The impressed team chose Koodiyattom as an art form from India to be preserved from being lost.
And that is where Adoor Gopalkrishnan came in the picture and started working on a documentary. The documentary was shot at the Kidangur Subrahmaniyam temple, especially since Koodiyattom is usually played out in a large temple like dance hall called `Koothambalam`. Adoor has used the latest digital technology to shoot the film, and the total length of the documentary is 10 hours. But it will be edited down to half-an-hour for screening to the UNESCO team, said Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Suresh P Nair is the cinematogarpher and Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, the script writer.
Koodiyattom, said to be the world`s most ancient theatre form, is now once again being rejuvenated in Kerala. It has a history of 2,000 years. (In contrast, Kathakali, the most popular art form from Kerala, is just 500 years old.)
The most notable fact you discover is that Koodiyattom had allowed women participants, even though Kathakali, which came much later did not accommodate them. Written and choreographed in Sanskrit, this art form has been withdrawn from public stage and is taking refuge in some temples. The project to make a documentary of Koodiyattom was born in Paris where a team from UNESCO watched a full-length Koodiyattom show. The impressed team chose Koodiyattom as an art form from India to be preserved from being lost.
And that is where Adoor Gopalkrishnan came in the picture and started working on a documentary. The documentary was shot at the Kidangur Subrahmaniyam temple, especially since Koodiyattom is usually played out in a large temple like dance hall called `Koothambalam`. Adoor has used the latest digital technology to shoot the film, and the total length of the documentary is 10 hours. But it will be edited down to half-an-hour for screening to the UNESCO team, said Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Suresh P Nair is the cinematogarpher and Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, the script writer.
The documentary is notable for the absence of a background commentary and the usual camera tricks used normally by the short film makers.
Bureau Report