Thiranottam in Kathakali - Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri, Interview -2 Malayalam

An interview with Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboodiri, shares his experience as a Kathakali Artist. Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboodiri is widely acclaimed as the most talented of Kathakali artistes to present the chuvanna thaadi vesham (read bearded character), the most terrifying of Kathakali characters.

What is Thiranottam in Kathakali performance?
One of the attractive features of Kathakali performance, Thiranottam which means peering over the curtain is a like self introduction done by Kathi (arrogant and evil characters), Thadi (vicious and excessively evil characters) and Kari (demonic characters) veshams (characters) before entering to the Kathakali play. In this, the actor emerges from behind a hand-held curtain (thirassela).