A two-thousand-year-old tradition came alive at SUPVA; Students perform Kerala's ancient living Sanskrit theatre art 'Koodiyattam'
Students of Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLCSUPVA) witnessed a tradition more than two thousand years old coming alive on the university campus. The performance of Kerala's ancient living Sanskrit theatre art 'Koodiyattam' was staged by acting course students.
Girish Saini
Mar 14, 2026 08:23
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Rohtak, March 14, 2026: Students of Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLCSUPVA) witnessed a tradition more than two thousand years old coming alive on the university campus. The performance of Kerala's ancient living Sanskrit theatre art 'Koodiyattam' was staged by acting course students.
Notably, 'Koodiyattam' was recognized by UNESCO in 2001 as an outstanding example of humanity's oral and intangible heritage.
Mahesh TP, FC of the FTV Department said that 'Koodiyattam' is not just a theatre, but a masterclass in the art of acting. Through the rhythmic beats of the mirav drum and the complex language of the eyes (nethran abhinaya), it transforms the stage into a sacred space where the human and the divine meet. It is known for its high-level facial expressions and hand gestures. The main themes in 'Koodiyattam' are taken from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Film and Television Department has conducted a 'Koodiyattam' workshop for the 2024 batch students. The students presented whatever they learned, working hard, concentrating deeply, and respecting this ancient heritage.
Dr. Amit Arya, the Vice-Chancellor of DLCSUPVA, said that such master classes are organized to train the students in the field of acting in the best possible way. This not only allows them to learn the art but also exposes them to the culture of other regions.
He informed that Suraj Nambiar was invited as an expert to give the master class, while Kalamandalam Vijay was present on the mirav dhol and Awasthi Sarojini was there for artists' makeup. VC Dr. Arya mentioned that during the performance, the student staged five different chapters under 'Koodiyattam,' which also included the story of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Through this, the beauty (love) and balance of the two deities were effectively depicted. The expressions and gestures of the students in the different chapters were worth watching.
