Guruvayur- Krishnattam

June 15, 2005

Krishnattam is a popular cultural programme conducted in the Guruvayur temple for eight consecutive days.

It is based on Krishnagiti which was written between 1655-1658 by the Zamorin of Calicut- Manavendra Raja.During this period both Vilwamangalam Swamiyar and the Zamorin Manavendra Raja were staying in Guruvayur.Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan that he could see the Lord in flesh and blood whenever he wanted.One day the Zamorin requested the Swamiyar to help him to show the Lord.Swamiyar replied that before committing anything he will have to consult Guruvayoorappan and get his consent.The next day the Swamy told him that Guruvayoorappan has given the consent and can see Him playing in the early hours of the morning at the platform of the Elanji tree.

When as per the agreement the Zamorin saw the real Guruvayoorappan he was so excited that he forgot all the environment and decorum rushed to the Elanji tree and embraced the Lord.The Lord immediately disappeared saying"Vilwamangalam did not tell me this will happen".However during the melee, the Zamorin got one peacock feather from the head gear of Lord Krishna.Then probably to atone for the inadvertent discourtesy shown by him to the Lord,he immediately went to the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Guruvayoorappan and pledged that with that feather of peacock, he will make a head gear,compose Krishnagiti in the form of a dance-drama and dedicate to the Lord.Accordingly with singleminded application he wrote Krishnagiti in eight cantos and without any assistance did the cherography,all the costume make-up including Krishna's headgear,facial make up,details of instruments for the background music and prepared the list of all and sundry articles required for staging the dance

drama.He himself selected the artists for the Arangetram and trained them to perform the dance drama.

It is to be noted that that the Arangetram of all the eight plays viz.Avatharam,

Kaliyamardhanam,Rasakreeda,Kamsavadham,Swayamvaram,Baanayuddham,

Vividavadham and Swargarohanam were performed near the sanctum sanctorum(later the venue was shifted) of the Guruvayur temple.On the ninth day Avatharam was repeated as the Zamorin felt that it was not auspicious to end the series on a sad note.Actors who present demonic or evil characters,

wear colourful masks.The actors do not narrate the story and they are left to concentrate on abhinaya and aanghya(hand action) while songs are sung in the background to the accompaniment of Suddha Maddalam,Topi Maddalam,Edakka,Elataalam(cymbals),Chengala Vatta(gong) and Sankh.This

practice of performing Avatharam to Swargarohanam is being continued to this day.

Sauvarnaatbhuta Bhooshanojwala Vapuhu Saveeta Peetambaram

Neelambodanibho Bhujaihi Druta Gada Sankhaari Pankeruhaihi

Braajishnuhu Guruvayumandira Diro Chishnuhu Sa Vishnu Swayam

Drushnor Viswa Janopataapa Haraye Kaargam Mama Khyapayet

(Krishnagiti)

( With a body adorned by wonderful,dazzling golden ornaments,clad in yellow

garments, bearing the complexion of blue cloud,holding a mace, conch, disc,

and lotus in HIS hands, may that Lord Vishnu Himself,adding splendour to Guruvayur temple and dispelling miseries of human beings all over the world,bestow honour upon my poem.)

Thus this dance drama came to be known as Krishnattam.Devotees are allowed to do Krishnattam as Vazhipadu.

Avataara For Progeny.

Kaliamardana For relief from poison.

Rasakreeda For well being of unmarried girls

For peace between husband and wife

Kamsavadha For elimination of enemies

Swayamvara To speed up marriage.

Baanayuddha Done on birthdays to accompolish desires

Vividavadha To eliminate poverty

Swargarohana For peace to forefathers

Krishnattam was limited to temples but now a days this is performed outside as well thru Guruvayur Dewaswam.

Hare Krishna,