Pracchana Bārhaspatyam

Abstract

This article offers a rich analytical discussion of one of the most amusing of the embedded narratives in Mantrāṅkam—the tale of Iṭṭuṇṇūli and the parrot that eventually outwits her. This story has ancient roots in the Kathā literature but has acquired a peculiarly Keralan character in the process of being integrated into Mantrāṅkam, where it functions as a condensed emblematic statement of the major themes of the play as a whole. Nave has tried to decipher some of the major themes crucial to the project as a whole as they appear in one embedded tale. The play of Mantrāṅkam is considered to be one of the jewels of Kūṭiyāṭṭam. It places an immense strain on the performer and on his memory. It entails a great potential for tension along with enormous effort of the performer.