Mantrāṅkam, an Ancient Integration Project?

Abstract

This article summarizes and presents the ‘golden thread’ of a full performance of Mantrāṅkam lasting 41 days in the Kūṭiyāṭṭam tradition. A day-by-day description with a thorough analysis of the structure, short samples of the text and several photos give a clear idea of the body and composition of Mantrāṅkam. Further, the article recapitulates the study of Mantrāṅkam carried out by the author in 1995-97 and her restudy in 2013-16. Finally, an appendix provides a short summary of the plot of the āntarārttham, “the hidden meaning”, according to the Kūṭiyāṭṭam-tradition. Oberlin describes Mantrāṅkam as a kind of monumental encyclopedia of Kerala culture, civilization, and language. It is the longest play in Kūṭiyāṭṭam; the texts within the texts are constantly moving and growing; it is inclusive and expansive, containing ritual as well as social parts.