The Royal Temple Theater of Krishnattam

Contents Preface and Acknowledgment: How This Second Edition Came About vii Preface to the First Edition x Dedication and Acknowledgment: First Edition xi Note on Diacritical Marks and Prounciation xiii List of Plates xvi 1 My Introduction to Krishnattam 1 2 The Time of the Zamorins (1652-1955) 21 Map showing the range of Zamorin's influence 39 3 The Time of Transition (1955-61) 40 4 The Time at the Guruvayur Krishna Temple under A.C.G. Raja (1961-83) 44 5 The Recent Time (1984-90) 59 6 Training 64 7 Preparations for Performance and Place Performance 83 8 The Performance 93 9 The Future of Krishnattam: Artists' Opinions and Suggestions 114 10 Meting the Challenges of the Future 114 Appendices A Selected Shlokas Text of Totayam from Krishnagiti 126 B Manaveda and His Works 131 C Biographical Data on A.C.G. Raja 144 D Names, Ages (in 1983) and Roles of Artists Interviewed 149 E How Performers Joined Krishnattam 150 F Scholars and Connoisseurs of Krishnattam Whom I Interviewed or from Whom I Received Letters and Information 156 G List of Performances Observed 157 H Synopses and Observations of Krishnattam Plays 159 Avataram 162 Kaliyamarddanam 167 Rasakrida 172 Kamsavadham 176 Svayamvaram 179 Banayuddham 185 Vividavadham 193 Svargarohanam 199 I Places of Performances During the Time of the Zamorins 204 J Philosophical Dialogue between Krishna and Uddhava 212 Glossary 216 Bibliography 237 Plates 243 Index 283