Temple patronage was once common for many art forms in India, but later most of them transitioned to public audienceship and patronage. One exception to this is the Dance Drama tradition Krishnanattam. As the name signifies, Krishnanattam/Krishnattam is a dance drama of Krishna stories. Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple- one of the popular Hindu pilgrimage centres in Kerala, is the sole patron for Krishnanattam, and there exists only one training centre for the art form at Guruvayur.

Development
Krishnanattam is a performance form based on the text Krishnageeti written by King Manaveda of Samoothiri Kovilakam (The Royal family of the Malabar region, present-day Calicut), who was a devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan. Krishnanattam teams were supported by the royal family and travelled from place to place to give performances in different parts of North and Central Kerala until the 1950s. Later, as part of the decline of the royal ruling system, the art form and artist troupe were handed over to the temple. Krishnanattam was then started to have regular performances inside the temple, every day except Tuesdays and the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (from mid of July to mid of August) after the temple rituals at night.

Performance
The repertoire of Krishnanattam consists of eight stories, each depicting a particular chapter of Krishna’s life from birth to ascension to heaven such as. The performance shares similarities with the popular dance drama tradition of Kerala, Kathakali, in terms of movement patterns, expression techniques, hand gestures, musical patterns, and costume styles. However, Krishnanattam has some unique characteristics; expressive techniques are not as elaborate as in Kathakali. Dance elements and group-formed choreographies are significant in Krishnanattam. The accompanying instruments are Maddalam, Changila, Elathalam, and Edakka. Two singers stand at the back of the performers and also play the rhythm. Some characters in Krishnanattam use masks, which is another unique feature of the art form.

Ritual
Krishnanattam is still practiced as part of the worship culture inside Guruvayur temple. Plays are offered by the devotees each day. Each of the eight stories holds special significance; for example, the first story, ‘Avataram’ (Incarnation- the birth of Krishna), is performed for those who pray to have a child, 'Swayamvaram' (the marriage play) for wishing a good marriage, 'Kamsavadham' (Killing the demon Kamsa) to dispel enemies and associated negativities, and so on.

Although Krishnanattam has only one school and one troupe of performers, the performances are also organized in other temples and venues across Kerala and at national and international venues.