Unnayi Warrier
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Unnayi Variyar
Unnayi Variyar (also, Variar/Warrier/Warriar was a poet, writer, scholar, dramatist who lived in Kerala
, India
during the later part of the 17th century.He gave immense contributions to the art of Kathakali
the classical dance-drama form of Kerala. He is widely renowned for his chef-d'oeuvre Nalacharitham
aattakatha.
)) by profession at Irinjalakkuda Koodalmanikyam Temple
. One tangible record available that throws light on his life and times is that his work Nalacharitham aattakatha - 2nd day was enacted during the festival season of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) in 1752 AD. This for certain proves that Nalacharitham
was authored by Variyar during the first half of 18th century or earlier. There is speculation that Ramapurathu Warrier
was a disciple of Unnayi Variyar and as noted by Prof. Aimanam Krishna Kaimal in his celebrated work "Attakkatha Sahityam" it is reasonable to assume Unnayi Variyar lived between 1674 and 1754 C.E. Also, Prof. Kaimal infers that Unnayi's real name was 'Raman'. He arrives at this conclusion by presenting evidence that last sloka of another of Unnayi's works - 'Girijakalyanam' aatakatha mentions the author's name to be 'Raman'.
(chapters 52 to 79 of Aaranyaparvam). It is one of the stories told by sage Brihadaswan to Pandava prince Yudhisthira
during the despondent times that Pandavas go through during their exile. Story revolves around the most righteous Naishada king Nala
,his wife Damayanti
and the troubles they undergo in spite of being pious and virtuous and how in the end they are absolved and restored to their previous glory and joy.By many accounts Nalacharitham is considered to be the complete aatakatha via its perfect storyline,masterly rendering and consistent aesthetics.
abhinaya. Also Variyar through his Nalacharitham is widely acknowledged to have raised the dramatic value of Kathakali as an art form.
Unnayi Variyar (also, Variar/Warrier/Warriar was a poet, writer, scholar, dramatist who lived in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
during the later part of the 17th century.He gave immense contributions to the art of Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
the classical dance-drama form of Kerala. He is widely renowned for his chef-d'oeuvre Nalacharitham
Nalacharitham
- Nalacharitham Attakatha:The substance of the story of Nalan and Damayanthi is depicted in Mahabharatha in chapters 52 to 79 in Vanaparvam as told by Sage Brihadaswan to Dharmaputhra to exemplify the unfortunate turn of events that might take place in the lives of great men and how such things...
aattakatha.
Biography
There are only sketchy details available regarding Unnayi Variyar's real name, exact date and place of birth, his family background and literary achievements. There is consensus among scholars that his family name was 'Akathoottu Warriam' and that he was a garland maker (traditional vocation of Warriers (VariarVariar
Warrier is a South Indian, Hindu caste of the Ambalavasi community from Kerala, India. They are engaged to assist the Namboodiri priests in temple-related chores, primarily catering to the floral requirements and daily maintenance of the temple. Variars form an intermediate between Dwija and...
)) by profession at Irinjalakkuda Koodalmanikyam Temple
Koodalmanikyam Temple
Koodalmanikyam Temple or Kudal Manikkam Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Irinjalakuda, a small town in Trissur district, Kerala, India...
. One tangible record available that throws light on his life and times is that his work Nalacharitham aattakatha - 2nd day was enacted during the festival season of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
(Trivandrum) in 1752 AD. This for certain proves that Nalacharitham
Nalacharitham
- Nalacharitham Attakatha:The substance of the story of Nalan and Damayanthi is depicted in Mahabharatha in chapters 52 to 79 in Vanaparvam as told by Sage Brihadaswan to Dharmaputhra to exemplify the unfortunate turn of events that might take place in the lives of great men and how such things...
was authored by Variyar during the first half of 18th century or earlier. There is speculation that Ramapurathu Warrier
Ramapurathu Warrier
Ramapurathu Warrier is considered to be the pioneer of the "Vanchipattu" or Boatsong form of poetry in Malayalam language.He was born in Ramapuram, near Palai, in Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala. He was a courtier of two successive Kings of Travancore, viz...
was a disciple of Unnayi Variyar and as noted by Prof. Aimanam Krishna Kaimal in his celebrated work "Attakkatha Sahityam" it is reasonable to assume Unnayi Variyar lived between 1674 and 1754 C.E. Also, Prof. Kaimal infers that Unnayi's real name was 'Raman'. He arrives at this conclusion by presenting evidence that last sloka of another of Unnayi's works - 'Girijakalyanam' aatakatha mentions the author's name to be 'Raman'.
Nalacharitham
The most famous work of Unnayi Variyar is Nalacharitham Aattakkatha. The work is divided into four parts/days with each part designed in such a way as to be presented as an independent performance. Nalacharitham elavated the literary standards of Kathakali and is widely recognised to be path breaking and pioneering in its approach to make Kathakali an complete art form. Root story of Nalacharitham Kathakali song is based on the MahabharataMahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
(chapters 52 to 79 of Aaranyaparvam). It is one of the stories told by sage Brihadaswan to Pandava prince Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
during the despondent times that Pandavas go through during their exile. Story revolves around the most righteous Naishada king Nala
Nala
Nala , a character in Hindu mythology, is the king of Nishadha Kingdom, son of Virasena. Nala is known for his skill with horses and culinary expertise. He marries princess Damayanti, of Vidarbha Kingdom, and their story is told in the Mahabharata. His main weakness is gambling...
,his wife Damayanti
Damayanti
Damayanti , a character in Hindu mythology, was the princess of Vidarbha Kingdom, who married king Nala, of Nishadha Kingdom, and their story is told in the Mahabharata.-The story:...
and the troubles they undergo in spite of being pious and virtuous and how in the end they are absolved and restored to their previous glory and joy.By many accounts Nalacharitham is considered to be the complete aatakatha via its perfect storyline,masterly rendering and consistent aesthetics.
Influence
Fundamental influence that Unnayi Variyar has had on Kathakali is on the emergence of the importance of Rasa (aesthetics) as against a more dominant Bhava BhavaBhava
The term bhāva is often translated as feeling, emotion, mood, devotional state of mind. In Buddhist thought, bhāva denotes the continuity of life and death, including reincarnation, and the maturation arising therefrom...
abhinaya. Also Variyar through his Nalacharitham is widely acknowledged to have raised the dramatic value of Kathakali as an art form.