Kunjan Nambiar Smarakam

In 1976, the Kunjan Nambiar Smarakam, the monument at his birthplace incorporating his ancestral Kalakkath home, was opened in Killikkurissiimangalam, Lakkidi. A Kalithattu (stage) for staging Thullal and other types of art, a library, and a museum are included in the memorial, which is an initiative of the Government of Kerala. The museum exhibits the traditional costumes and paraphernalia of Thullal.

At a Glance

Kunjan Nambiar and Ottan Thullal

The famous bard and satirist of Kerala, Kunchan Nambiar, is known for the art form of Ottan Thullal, which he created alone. With Thullal, in the 17th century, Nambiar lit up the fuse for a social revolution in caste and inequity-ridden Kerala society.

Thullal simply means dance. But what emanated from the intellect of Nambiar’s genius was a new form of verse storytelling. Nambiar was a Mizhavu player for Chakiyar Koothu, according to folklore. He dozed off once during the show and was mocked for playing incorrect notes by the Chakiyar. An infuriated Nambiar vowed to come to Chakiyar Koothu with an alternate art form. The outcome was Ottan Thullal’s interesting art form that mocked all of society’s prevailing socio-political equations and stereotypes.

Thullal simply means dance. But what emanated from the intellect of Nambiar’s genius was a new form of verse storytelling. Nambiar was a Mizhavu player for Chakyar Koothu, according to folklore. He dozed off once during the show and was mocked for playing incorrect notes by the Chakiyar. An infuriated Nambiar vowed to come to Chakiyar Koothu with an alternate art form. The outcome was Ottan Thullal’s interesting art form that mocked all of society’s prevailing socio-political equations and stereotypes.

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