| Art Form | Inside the Centre (Rate in rupees) |
Outside the Centre (Rate in rupees) |
| Chavittunadakam | Rs.4000/- | Rs.6000/- |
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At one time_in the seasides of Kerala-cultural exchange centres,there existed number of artforms and cultural heritages as result of exchange of different cultures among different people.The art form,chavittunadakam is one among that.It is musical-dance-drama artform has got immense connection with martial performance.Chavittunadakam is an integration of eastern and western culture and this artform includes music,fights,dance and acting.And it’s costume is western in nature.
A peculiar feature of this drama art is the actors pounding (stamping or Chavittu) the dance floor producing resonant sounds to emphasize the dramatic situations. Hence literally Chavittunadakam means 'Stamping Drama'. The play is considered a success if at the end, the stage cave into the pressure of heavy stamping.
The most sensual blend of cultural influences can be seen in this Christian dance-drama. Collaborating with the Malayalee scholars Portuguese produced librettos which extorted the heroic exploits of legendary Christian warriors. In Chavittu Nadakam there are large number of characters all in glittering medieval dress. They sing their lines loudly and with exaggerated gestures and they stamp their feet with great force on the wooden stage. It is the form of traditional musical dance drama, which symbolizes the martial tradition of Keralites. Dance and instrumental music are combined in these art forms. The actor themselves sing and act. Great stress is laid on the step, which goes in harmony with the songs. In these art forms there is a great importance for dance and art. Foot stamping dance, fighting and Kalaripayatu are the essential part of Chavittunadakam. Royal dresses and ornamental costumes are necessary. Training is obtained from the Guru Kula form of education. Historical incidents , the life and adventure of heroes like Charlemagne; stories of Napolean were the themes of Chavittunadakam in the 16th century. In the 18th century ,spiritual themes like "Allesu-Natakam", "Cathareena Natakam",the victory of the Isaac etc were the themes. In 19th century moral themes like "Sathyapalan";"Njanasundhari","Komala Chandrika"were handled
Dr.Fr.V.P Joseph Valiyaveettil, founder-director of Kreupasanam Pauranika Rangakalapeedom took much effort for the rejuvenation of this traditional folk artform.He won in that.At present,the available data about this artform became highly scientific and systematic.Earlier,only one and half page data was available.Now a single book titled ,Chavittunadakm Encyclopedia written with the single-handed effort of Dr.Fr.V.P Joseph Valiyaveettil and published by Kerala folklore academy under the ministry of cultural department,Kerala.Since the art form,chavittunadakam added as an item of competition in Kerala youth festival the importacnce of training also increased.With the sternous efforts of Dr.FrV.P Joseph Valiyaveettil, Chavittunadakam presented as an artform suitable for transportation.Earlier the thought was it is a play of large members which lasts for several days and practicability of presentation of this artform in abroad is a herculean task.But Kreupasanam overwrote this concept by presenting this artform at Mumbai of three times,Delhi of two times and even in abroad- Kuwait.Literally speaking the time management and representation of this artform is one of the main achievement of Kreupasanam.For including this art form in Youth festival, Kreupasanam directed 12 minute chavittunadakam titled, ‘Marthoma sandhesham’ and presented.He also founded Annavi welfare foundation for supporting the artists by heping them to obtain stipend and pension.Last achievment in this sector is Father can connect this artform with job as a source of income.
In 2007, Kreupasanam started the cultural mission centre- National heritage study centre, Kalavoor, Alappuzha and it has the origin as Kreupasanam Pauranika Rangakalapeedam in 1992.And the centre works for the rejuvenation of christian traditional folk arts like chavittunadakam, Parichakali, Margamkali, Devasthavili etc and it also exists as the training, research, demonstration and propagation centre of these christian folk art forms.National heritage study centre has it’s own trained artists under the leadership of Dr.Fr.V.P Joseph Valiyaveettil, audio-visual digital museum,folk art museum, library,studio and open stage for the promotion of above activities.And you can visit our website, www.folkarts.in for the details.
Kreupasanam Coastal Folk Art Academy is a dream project of Rev.Fr. Dr.Fr V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil for the rejuvenation, documentation and institutionalise the classical coastal heritage folk arts such as Chavittunadakam, Parichamuttukali, Annavipattukal, Ammanapattukal, Puthenpana, Kadal Vanchipattukal, Devasthavili, Slama carol, Pichapattukal and Parichakali. It will support our only existing training academy and research centre for the coastal art forms in Kerala-National heritage study Centre located at Kalavoor,Alleppey for the development of world class Coastal Folk Art academy and research centre with an aim of offering university level Credit-hour courses for preserving the coastal cultural heritage of kerala with a master curriculum plan meant for Indian and foreign students.And also development of a folk art village for the promotion of cultural tourism by exploring the possibilities through the coastal life arts, their traditions, culture, food patterns of the folks and the traditional livelihood - fishing, netting, spinning, various coir-twine system as cottage industries and link it with the purpose of cultural exchange between the local inhabitants and the outside world. This proposal is to promote their earning pattern and lifestyle with economic progression.And it also exists as the training,demonstration, documentation and propagation centre of different coastal folk art forms.