Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri - Emperor of Indian Temple Dance

 Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri - Emperor of Indian Temple Dance

Thidambu nritham is a seven century old Indian Temple dance now being very popular in the state of Kerala. Other dance forms popular in Kerala include Kathakali, Ottanthullal and Chakyar koothu. While Kathakali was earlier a temple dance, later it was taken to stage performance. Thidambu nritham has become popular through the dedication and efforts of legendary artist Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri. In thidambu nritham, there are mainly four rhythms thakilati, atantha, chempata and panchari followed by ekataala. There are few similarities between performance in Kathakali and Thidambu nritham, but differences are many. Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri maintains the old traditions and steps of Thidambu nritham in his performance blended with new steps invented by him appearing under the trend of the recent times. There is no scope for acting, expressions and other representations during thidambu nritham performance. Nevertheless, Govindan Namboothiri has successfully translated essence of old Indian theology, cosmology and mythology through manifestations in thidambu nritham including works centering on siva purana,  kaliya marddana and  presentations on selected texts in akroora bhakti. In his  thidambu nritham performances, the dance progresses from slow movements and steps like in kerala dance mohiniyattam ascending to quick foot movements at higher rhythms. Dance scholars exclusively mentions that in Govindan Namboothiri’s performances, change from one rhythm to other and change is steps in the ascending order from slow movements to quick movements is highly classic and extremely impressive. They endorse that Govindan Namboothiri is an emperor of Indian dance, like many exponents in Kathakali representing the rich cultural traditions of southern part of the country.