Kuttambalam

Koothambalam (Traditional Temple-Theater)

Kuttambalam – An Architectural Splendor

Kuttambalam is an architecturally elegant structure that provides the perfect ambiance for staging classical performing arts, built according to the inscriptions laid down in Sage Bharata’s Natyasastra of the 2nd century A.D. As a pre-eminent institution for teaching and performing classical arts, Kerala Kalamandalam recognized the need for a Koothambalam/Natyagriha that combines the classicism of ancient theatre architecture with modern amenities. The structure is designed to facilitate intense communication between the artists and the audience. The pillars of the Kuttambalam are made of black granite, with 108 karanas (dance poses) specified in the Natyasastra carved into them. Just behind the stage, a mural beautifully depicts the story of Arjuna receiving the divine arrow, Pashupatha, from Lord Shiva. Visitors from far and wide have consistently appreciated the architectural grandeur and aesthetic tone of the Kuttambalam, brimming with the glory of a distant past. Sitting in the Kuttambalam, the intermittent flow of the cool breeze often evokes a sense of nostalgia in a sensitive mind.