Traditional and Indigenous Aesthetics of India
upendra K R
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Abstract
ABSTRACT In any traditional art form we see the trio 1. Performing artist 2. Performance Space 3. Audience work together in evolving an aesthetic sense to the regional culture. We shall see this in the art form “Koodiyattam,” which is an amalgamation of Aryan and Dravidian concept of performance. We see the link missing in the contemporary modern performances. Re- invention of design and aesthetics always happens in the field of performance arts, it shall looked by juxtaposing the classical theatre (koodiyattam ) and folk theatre ( Ottan Thullal) In this paper I will discuss koodiyattam and ottan thullal in the context of re-invention of genre, performance, audience, time and space. Through this exploration, I shall try to arrive what re-invention means in the performing arts.as both are regional forms of performance in the same area. It is possible for us to examine the aesthetics of space and performance through these tradition.The role of performance space and audience plays a significant role in the existence of an art form. To analyse a performance we need to look into performance space and the audience connected to it. Keywords: performance, space, classical art form, folk art form, Re-invention .
Key takeaways
- In this paper we shall use " Koodiyattam" as a case study to understand some of the prescriptions of performance given in Natya Shastra.
- Hence in the classical art form 'Koodiyattam', the prescription of Natya sastra deligently followed leads to Rasa Experience.
- In the other type of folk art form known as Ottan Thullal, the Natya shastra prescriptions may not be followed, Even then one cannot say that there is no Rasa experience.
- But ottan thullal performers have freedom to move anywhere inside the demarcated space As regards the transgression of performance space, the koodiyattam performers do not have direct eye contact with audience.
- Koodiyattam has its strong hold in the Sanskrit tradition but it has many elements of re-inventing the regional aesthetics with Natya shastra.
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