Thodayam Cholliyattam

Thodayam is a Kathakali ritual, performed mostly by junior artists in their traditional training costume. This piece of dance is a prelude to Kathakali, which gives importance to the devotional element.
 
Thodayam is in commemoration of the dance of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. Hence this is jointly performed by male and female characters, one each. This video presents 'cholliyattam' of Thodayam or the practising of Thodayam.

Gandhi Seva Sadan
Performed in the video, are the students of ‘Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali and Classical Arts Academy’.

This premiere centre is situated in Ottappalam of Palakkad (former Palghat) district, Kerala, India. Popularly known as ‘Kathakali Sadanam’, the institution was founded in 1953 by K. Kumaran, freedom fighter and a patron of classical arts.

The center offers both short term and long-term courses in Kathakali. Artistes of this institution have performed at different venues in Europe and Asia.

Kerala Kalamandalam in Thrissur district, Margi in Thiruvananthapuram district and PSV Natyasanghom, Kottakkal in Malappuram district are some other Kathakali training centres in the state.