Space, Time and Ways of Seeing: The Performance Culture of Kutiyattam

This book explores the constitutive role of space in the performance of Kutiyattam, a Sanskrit theatre that is distinctive in its performance conventions and culture of elaboration and interpretation. Drawing upon phenomenology, it analyses the role of space in the communicative structures of performance and its contribution to the production of meaning in theatre, particularly in the context of contemporary theatre. The book approaches Kutiyattam as a "theatre of elaboration" made possible by the intimate, proximal ways of seeing of the audience in the particular theatrical space of the kūttampalaṃs, the temple theatres, where Kutiyattam has customarily been performed for more than five centuries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the profound and multifaceted role that space plays in the captivating performance of Kutiyattam, the sole surviving form of Sanskrit theatre. Kutiyattam stands out as a unique theatrical tradition, distinguished by its distinctive performance conventions and a culture of extensive elaboration and interpretation. By drawing upon the concepts of phenomenology, particularly the works of Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the book examines the intricate relationship between space and the communicative structures of Kutiyattam's performances, ultimately contributing to the creation of meaning in theatre, particularly within the context of contemporary theatre.

The book posits that the theatrical event emerges as a remarkable phenomenon through a triangular interplay between the 'ways of being' of the performers, the 'ways of seeing' of the audience, and the space that brings them together. This framework serves as the foundation for analyzing Kutiyattam as a "theatre of elaboration," facilitated by the intimate and proximal ways of seeing of the audience within the distinct theatrical space of the kūttampalaṃs, the temple theatres, where Kutiyattam has been traditionally performed for over five centuries.

This volume holds immense appeal to scholars and researchers engaged in the fields of cultural studies, theatre and performance studies, cultural anthropology, phenomenology, and South Asian studies. It offers valuable insights into the intricate interplay between space, performance, and cultural expression, shedding light on the enduring significance of Kutiyattam in the world of theatre.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032000374