யாழ்ப்பாணத் தென்மோடிக் கூத்துக்களின் தற்கால நிலையும் எதிர் காலமும்

Abstract

Kooththu is the ancient indigenous dramatic form of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The different forms of performances of Kooththu are classified into Thenmodi, Vadamodi, Mullaimodi, Vadapangu, and Thenpangu. Though Kooththu is a blundered form of Music and Dance structure, it emphasizes either Music or Dance s in the different forms played in each and every district in the northern region. The Thenmodi Kooththu of Jaffna focus the music tradition. Kooththu is experienced the huge drawbacks due to the interference of modern dramatists by the distorted forms of Kooththu in the years of 2000, the generation gap to continue the tradition of taking over the role of Director for Kooththu by the young generations, and due to the effects of globalization. The objectives of this research are to propose the efforts that could support to revive the kooththu, to focus the factors influencing it, and to elaborate the special features of the Thenmodik Kooththu. The methodology is used from historical evidences and descriptive and critical review. The ancient kooththu were affected due to the modern dramatic concept developed in the 1970s. The pieces of kooththu were used in modern dramas as a strategy. It can be observed from the dramas named “Kanthan Karunai”(Similar nature of Kaaththavaraayan Kooththu) directed by Mr A.Thasicious and the trend continuous in all Styles of Traditional Kooththu production till now. Music, Dance and Language and originality have been severely affected. The Koothu has been migrated from the villages to the educated audience and the tradition of Annavi were totally destroyed. The above reason underlines the causes of deformation of Thenmodi Kooththu of the Jaffna region. The Kooththu has to be preserved as “Kooththu scripts” and they should be performed in each and every villages with the traditional form. The new “Tradition of Annavi” should be developed and that would be the solution to preserve our ancient Thenmodi Kooththu.