Thullal

Ottamthullal is a very popular form of classical performing arts of Kerala. The actor wears a long tape of cloth, looped around a waist-string to form a knee-length skirt. A chest-plate adorned by coloured beads, glass and various ornaments are used. Tinkling bells are tied to the legs. Ottamthullal is distinct with its presentation and frank wit and humour. This dance form is a solo dance performance. The dancer himself sings the lead to the accompaniment of instruments. The metre and rhythm of Ottamthullal songs are fast-paced. The face of the dancer is painted green, lips painted red and the eyes are emphasised with black.

Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicates the verses through expressive gestures. The themes are based on mythology. This satiric art form was introduced in the18th century by the renowned poet Kunchan Nambiar .

Humour, satire and social criticism are the hallmarks of Thullal. The make up, though simple, is very much akin to that of Kathakali. The Thullal dancer is supported by a singer who repeats the verses and is accompanied by an orchestra of mridangam or thoppi maddalam (percussions) and cymbals. There are three related forms of Thullal - Ottanthullal , Seethankanthullal and Parayanthullal - of which the first is the most popular. The three are distinguished by the costumes worn and the metre of the verses.
Thullal is usually performed in the premises of temples during festivals and provides for thought and entertainment to the thousands of people who gather at these events

Traditionally Nambiars (a community) are Mizhavu(a percussion instrument used in Chakyar Koothu-another performing art of Kerala) artistes. Kunchna Nambiar an ace percussionist failed to satisfy the Chakyar, on the drum to his satisfaction.(another story says that Nambiar was dosing over) Chakyar ridiculed Nambiar in the presence of audience for his shabby performance. Nambiar took a vow that he would humble Chakyar.

Crest-fallen Nambiar sneaked into his residence and prayed to Lord Krishna. He evolved a new form of story telling that night.
Next day, Nambiar took his stand next opposite to the Chakyar. Chakyar was amazed and perturbed to find Nambair in a new costume. Nambiar performed Thullal to the accompaniment of a drum and a cymbal. The audience who were listening to the Chakyar, gathered around Nambiar. The Chakyar retreated in shame. Thus Nambiar scored a victory over Chakyar. The Chakyar informed what had happened to the Maharaja and it is said that, the Maharaja banned Thullal in the Ambalapuzha Temple.
Kunchan Nambiar came to Travancore. His major works were composed while in Travancore. He was the court poet of the then Maharaja Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma a great patron of letters.

The works of Nambiar
The first thullal composed by Nambiar was Kalayana saugandigam- a story from Mahabharata. Here Bhima at the behest of Draupadi wanders in the forest in search of Kalyana saugandigam(a flower) and his encounters on his way. The story nay all the works of Nambiar are saturated with wit and humor. This art form had thus popular appeal to mass minds.

Performance
It is performed during day time. There is only one thullakkaran-the performer. He is assisted by two musicians and two percussionists (on the maddalam).
The thullakkaran sings and dances making appropriate gestures to explain the meaning. It begins with the invocation of Ganesa and Saraswathi. The thullalkkaran renders a few lines repeated by the drummer. The actor simultaneously interprets the meaning of the lines repeated by the drummer. No curtain is used.

The three different forms:
OTTAM, SEETHANGAN AND PARAYAN are the three forms of thullal. Ottam thullal is the most popular. It is the most vigorous form. The first two forms are overburdened with literary embellishments, and are outstanding for their beauty of sound, sweet cadence, and uncontrolled outbursts of caustic humor.