Krishnattam
Krishnaattam (Krishnanattam) is a form of dance and drama which tells the wonderful story of Lord Krishna, and it is based on the divine text, Krishnagiti, which was written by King Samoodiri Manaveda who ruled the kingdom of Calicut during the 17th Century AD. This play is highly appreciated by the people of Kerala still today, since it features about the glory of Lord Krishna of Guruvayur.
Once Manadeva had the vision of Lord Krishna, and due to his sincere bhakti, Lord Krishna had left the king, a nice peacock feather, and with that divine feather, King Manadeva wrote the text Krishnaattam. This text is highly honoured by the people of Calicut and by the great Saint and Guruvayurappan devotee Sri Vilwamangalam Swamigal. This divine dance drama is still held at the Guruvayur Temple, as a sweet offering to the devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan.
Samoothiri Manavedan also wrote another classical poem, Poorva bharatha champu in Sanskrit, in the year 1643, and his statue is also found at Guruvayur. Krishnaattam is based on the great epic Srimad Bhagavatham, and it is purely based on the wonderful Leelas and miracles performed by Lord Krishna during his childhood. Watching the Krishnanattam dance directly or from the Videos, would bring positive results in our life, and by watching the following scenes of Krishnaattam, we would get the following merits in our lives:
1.By watching the birth scene of Lord Krishna, we would get a noble child similar to him.
2.By watching the Kaliya dance, the ill effects of the snake poison would be removed from our body.
3.By watching the Divine Leelas of Lord Krishna with the Gopikas, would help the unmarried girls to marry a pious person, and all the disputes between the married couples would be resolved.
4.By watching the scene of the killing of Kamsa, all of our enemy related problems would be removed.
5.By watching the marriage scene of Lord Krishna and Ma Rukmani, we would lead a happy and a peaceful married life.
6.By watching the childhood plays of Lord Krishna, we would get permanent peace of mind, and we would be relieved from mental stress and strain.
7.By watching the wonderful talks of Lord Krishna with his friends, we would get good knowledge in all the subjects, and we would be enlightened in our lives.
The Krishnaattam artists themselves must have to arrange for their own costumes. Training would be given to the Krishnaattam Artists at their young age onwards. The dance drama would be performed in the Guruvayur temple, and this wonderful Krishnaattam is being performed even in some foreign countries. Those who wish to attend the marvellous Krishnaattam dance drama festival event can contact the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, for knowing about further details.
“OM SRI GURUVAYURAPPANE NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR
The dance forms of Kerala represent the soul of the state’s cultural heritage, carrying forward ancient traditions and narratives. These captivating art forms not only entertain but also serve as a medium to transmit moral values, religious teachings, and historical events from generation to generation. Through Kathakali’s dramatic storytelling, Mohiniyattam’s ethereal beauty, Theyyam’s spiritual fervor, Thiruvathira Kali’s camaraderie, and Krishnanattam’s devotion, Kerala’s dance forms continue to enchant audiences with their timeless charm and artistic brilliance. As custodians of this rich legacy, it is our collective responsibility to cherish, preserve, and promote these dance forms, ensuring their endurance for generations to come.