Kutiyattam is a Sanskrit theatre form believed to be originated 2000 years ago. This is one of the oldest forms of living dance drama tradition from India, performed as a temple art in Kerala. Kutiyattam finds a close connection with the aesthetic techniques discussed in the ancient dramaturgy text Natyashastra. Major themes in Kutiyattam are taken from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

Tradition
Conventionally Kutiyattam plays were presented by the regional communities called Chakyar and Ambalavasi Nambiar. In the play, Chakyars portray male roles while the women from the Nambiar community, called Nangiar / Nangiaramma, play the female roles. Other than acting, Nangiars also handle the cymbals and provides supporting rendition of the Sanskrit verses as accompaniment. The primary percussion instrument used in Kutiyattam is the Mizhavu- a drum crafted from copper played by the Nambiar men. Traditionally, Kutiyattam was performed in a designated performance space called Koothambalam. Actors perform on a raised platform, in the light of an oil lamp positioned at the front with two flames, one facing the audience and the other facing the actor. The play incorporates highly intricate and stylised facial makeup and costumes, which are designed based on nature of the characters portrayed. 

Performance
Kutiyattam is unique with its meticulous acting techniques, especially with the Netra- abhinaya (expressions with eye works) and intricate and detailed hand gestures. Dance movements are confined to a limited space while the focus remains on acting prowess. Verses in Kutiyattam are in ancient Sanskrit and the plays are designed in accordance with the written performance text called Attaprakaram. However, there is an immense scope for the actor to interpret the character and situations with their improvisation, hence the form is known as ‘an actor’s theatre’.  Vidushaka is one of the main character appears in each play as a narrator who also uses regional language which helps people to comprehend the narrative easily. Vidushaka is the most interesting character played by the Chakyar as he brings humour and satire through his words. Presentation of a single play usually spans a several days, as it applies a detailed and elaborated way of enactment focusing on the nuances of expressions. These performances commence at 9 p.m. following the conclusion of rituals in the temple's sanctum sanctorum and continue until midnight or early morning. Kulashekhara Perumal, the king of the Chera Dynasty during the medieval period in Kerala, particularly in central Kerala as it exists today, reformed this ancient dramatic practice, and he personally contributed two major performance texts for Kutiyattam plays.

The Legacy
Kutiyattam tradition maintains a rigorous and extensive training system, historically passed down within family lineages but now accessible to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. However ritual performances are only meant for the community members in certain temples.  Kerala Kalamandalam pioneered an open training system for Kutiyattam, as a result the art form reached to public venues and a broader audience. Today Kutiyattam enjoys a global recognition and was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the year 2008. Koodalmanikyam Temple in Irinjalakkuda (a town in Central Kerala in Thrissur district) and the Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur (Central Kerala city) are the major venues for traditional Kutiyattam performances in the designated performance spaces- Koothambalams. These Koothambalams are typically constructed within the temple premises based on the guidelines about a performance hall, given in the Natyasastra. 

Kerala Kalamandalam Cheruthuruthi, Ammannur Gurukulam in Irinjalakkuda, and Margi Thiruvananthapuram are the leading institutions those provide training in Kutiyattam.