# Mannan Koothu: Song, Story, and Spirit of Mannan Traditions | MANNAN Tribe | Part 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov9gopVw8RM

[00:36] Mannankoothu is a traditional ritualistic artform of the Mannan community.
[00:40] One of the uniqueness of the koothu is that it is based on the 'Silapathikaram' tale of Kannaki Kovalan, and thus Mannankooth has to be seen and understood with the same depth and intensity.
[00:58] Panchanpoolan and Periyanankan, two great ancestors of Mannan community, are believed to be the founders of this artform.
[01:03] They travelled North to learn the art of Kooth from two sisters - Valvakotha and Valvachakki.
[01:17] Poolappan Poolan, a Kaani elder from the community is believed to have accompanied the brothers.
[01:22] On arrival Valvachakki and Valvakotha informs the brothers that only one can be taught the art of Koothu.
[01:31] Panchanpoolan was selected to learn the art directly.
[01:33] Whereas Periyanankan learned the art from outside the gurukul by listening.
[01:38] After the training, Panchanpoolan was asked to set a tree on fire by sight.
[01:47] Under Panchanpoolan's sight, the tree could only wilt.
[01:51] Whereas Periyanankan was able to set the tree on fire with his single sight.
[02:02] The two brothers were happily blessed by the sisters.
[02:13] Upon reaching back in their village, Periyanankan and Panchanpoolan is believed to have set up the rhythm, tune and structure of the koothu.
[02:25] That is how Mannankoothu is believed to have formed in our community.
[02:51] Generally, Mannankoothu is performed during the festivals like Kalavootu and Pongala.
[03:01] It is also performed during the important events like marriage and death.
[03:07] It is also performed during the harvest season.
[03:11] Based upon the events and circumstances, there would be changes in the performance style.
[03:16] During all these events, we call upon our gods and great ancestors.
[03:23] That is why we perform the Mannankoothu and songs.
[03:26] Without performing the Koothu, we will not be able to carry on with any other rituals.
[03:47] It is males who dress up as women while performing Mannankoothu.
[03:51] I have only performed Mannankoothu as a female character.
[03:58] I perform the koothu by wearing saree and blouse.
[04:03] For female character, we buy the attire and its accessories from the shops.
[04:07] While make up, we use necklace, earrings, bangles.
[04:13] Slide, hair wig etc. we buy from the shops.
[04:20] We used to use powders like ash for makeup and charcoal as kajal, during the olden times.
[04:30] I remember those times.
[04:32] Comedian character is another character in the mannankooth.
[04:35] Comedian character has many forms.
[04:38] Some are inspired from animals, like bear.
[04:42] Similarly wild leaves are also used to makeup the comedian character.
[04:46] Comedian entertains the crowd.
[04:51] To make them laugh and keep them awake.
[04:58] Now it is not practiced very much.
[05:26] Predominantly males perform the kooth.
[05:30] Elder women are also allowed to perform the koothu.
[05:34] It used to be the ways of the ancestors.
[05:40] Women were not allowed to enter the playing arena of koothu.
[05:43] But today things have changed.
[05:43] Women are participating in the art presently.
[05:49] The use of magic and spells barring the arena has also disappeared now.
[05:54] There are women who can play the artform today in our villages.
[05:57] But many are shy and they do not come forward.
[05:59] We have to continue our culture and tradition forward.
[06:04] We go to our festivals when and where ever possible for performing koothu.
[06:06] In some regions there would be ritual restrictions for women to perform koothu.
[06:11] There we will ask the elders.
[06:14] If agreed we will perform koothu in the event or else we will stay back.
[06:17] Then we participate in the festival as viewers.
[06:19] We developed this interest in mannan koothu by listening to the stories by elders in our family.
[06:23] Youth will be interested in taking forward the culture, if our knowledge sharing is strengthened.
[06:30] But sometimes this takes a backseat.
[06:43] The first song is dedicated to the gods and deities of Mannan community, during the koothu performance.
[06:49] We pay respect to our 800+ clan deities in this song.
[07:20] In the second song, we dedicate it for the various Gods such as Thekkum Sabarimala Ayyapan, Mullurandavan, Kanjiyathi Muthiyamma, Koshukol Bhavan, Bhavan Nadani Ayyapan, Cherkulathmuthi etc.
[07:59] The third song is dedicated to the great ancestors who founded the Mannankoothu.
[08:29] This initial section has to be performed in the temple before performing the koothu for audience.
[08:34] In the earlier days, we used to built a small arena separately, adjacent to the main areana.
[08:41] It used to be where we perform these three initial songs while performing Mannan Koothu.
[08:46] And only after performing these three songs, are we supposed to perform for the audience.
[08:51] In front of the audience, Kannaki - Kovalan songs are sung and koothu is performed.
[08:55] Once begun, the koothu will get over by the next day morning only.
[08:58] There are a total of 82-85 songs depicting the Kannaki Kovalan story.
[09:04] This has to be sung stage by stage.
[09:07] It would take around 7 days to completely sing and perform the Mannankoothu.
[09:14] Kooth is performed in stage-by-stage manner.
[09:19] Once the performance starts you can only pause the performance at these stages.
[09:25] The first stage ends at where Varnamala giving alms to Shivan and Parvathy, and they opens it at the banks of Cauvery.
[09:49] The second stage ends when Kanaki was set adrift locked in a golden box, in the Cauvery river.
[10:00] Third stage concludes when the pandal is erupted for the marriage of Kannaki Kovalan.
[10:10] In the end of fourth stage, Madhavi throws garland which falls on Kovalan, who was watching the koothu.
[10:21] The fifth stage marks an end when Kannaki and Kovalan's ashes were immersed in the Cauvery river.
[10:35] The koothu songs goes through these various stages in a step by step manner.
[10:38] Taking 7 days to complete the songs and dance performance.
[10:46] All these 7 days, koothu is performed in the same place.
[10:51] The koothu halts each day at these junctures day and will carry on from there, the day next.
[10:58] Similarly the performance carries on for 7 days, halting and continuing.
[11:08] Thus in a total of 7 long days, with songs and storytelling koothu is completed.
[11:16] The Kovilan songs are majorly in a slow rhythm.
[11:21] There are some fast paced songs, yet predominately the songs are slow paced.
[11:29] And in between the kovilan songs, 'muripaatukal' are placed by the elder.
[11:35] Some songs other than Kannaki Kovilan songs are placed in between them in intervals.
[11:46] But in the current age, instead of these songs, new malayalam movie songs are sung.
[11:54] When Malayalam songs are sung, there will be a tendency in the younger generation to keep on continuing singing movie songs.
[12:08] We do not agree to such habits, especially when there exists a rich legacy of Mannankoothu songs.
[12:24] Kovilan's story, from the beginning to end, is sung in the form of verses along with the songs.
[12:32] We call this style of narration as 'virutham'.
[12:35] Virutham is a form of storytelling with songs and verses accompanying the performances.
[12:42] While performing the complete Virutham, Mannankoothu exceeds a day.
[12:50] That was how things were done in the olden days.
[12:53] But in todays age, there is no virutham or storytelling accompanying Mannankoothu, but only songs.
[12:59] There are lot of changes in the today's Mannankooth and its presentation.
[13:03] Mannankoothu had to bring in lot of adaptations according to the changing times.
[13:08] As a result, a lot of things were lost from the cultural practice.
[13:13] Koothu once performed over multiple days, now is confined to a single night event due to changes in lifestyle.
[13:17] Thus only certain parts are played in today's Koothu.
[13:30] This is an overnight event, sometimes lasting till 6 am - 7 am in the next morning.
[13:40] In the end while Mangalam is sung, everyone stands up.
[13:44] Mangalam song is sung in the end of Mannankoothu.
[14:36] Mathalam, Charal and Chilanka are the various music instruments used in the Mannankoothu.
[14:45] Those who enter the arena, prays and seeks blessing in front of the Mathalam first.
[14:51] After which dance and song performance starts.
[14:53] Before the performance as well as after, blessings are sought in front of the Mathalam by the performers.
[15:04] Mathalam is considered divine, along with the Mathalam performer.
[15:13] After getting ready for the performance, blessing is sought from great ancestors and deities.
[15:29] When the chilanka is worn, blessing from Kanaki is sought.
[15:46] The song and rhythm of instruments should be in sync for the koothu dance performance to occur smoothly.
[15:59] The dance steps are based on the rhythm of song and instruments.
[16:02] They are not studied or taught specifically.
[16:05] Unlike the koothu of other communities like Muthuvan and Paniyar, who have rigid structures.
[16:14] Mannan community does not have specific structured steps in Mannan Koothu.
[16:17] It is similar to our language which is script less.
[16:23] According to the rhythm and music, we play our steps.
[16:26] The song and rhythm of instruments should be in sync for the Mannankoothu to be successful.
[17:03] How can we make the koothu more popular and enjoyable for the public?
[17:08] How can we link tourism to the art form for benefits?
[17:12] We had done deep rethinking on adapting the koothu to form this new program of koothu for tourism here in Kumali.
[17:19] As we curated the program structurally and in an orderly manner, it is enjoyable and appreciated by the public.
[17:25] This attempt is also bringing new and younger generation more into the artform.
[17:29] More than everything, the attempt is able to create new livelihood means for the community.
[17:50] Many have studied Mannankoothu yet arrived at a conclusion that this is only a folklore story and art form.
[17:56] They generally condescend and despise the artform and its deep culture.
[18:01] We have witnessed many writers and historians have said so.
[18:09] But once you deeply understand the artform from within, learning the stories, singing the songs, then only can we understand and feel the real and unique depth of the artform.
[18:24] It is only when we truly enter into the world of Mannankoothu, we can understand its core.
[18:31] From the very earlier days, koothu songs have been practiced and passed on with its history and uniqueness.
[18:41] To preserve this rich culture, Mannan community, including me, has been trying to put our level best effort.
[18:47] Unfortunately, results have not been much in our favour.
[18:51] Students, researchers, cultural enthusiasts and their study and interest has been paving way towards the preservation of Mannankoothu and related artforms.
[19:07] Our tradition is our wealth.
[19:09] And when it is lost, it is gone for ever.
[19:13] That is why elders are instructing skillful individuals to learn koothu and take it up forward.
[19:18] And never to leave our rich culture and lose it.