Chakyar

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Chakyar is a caste from the Kerala state of south India. The women in this community are called Illotammas. They are Ambalavasis who, having mixed with Namboothiris, occupy a position in the Hindu Temple associated with the priestly caste in managing the affairs of the temple, though not the actual conduct of ceremonies. They are assigned with the holy temple ritualistic performance called Chakyar Koothu and Koodiyattam, which is the only surviving ancient Sanskrit theatre in India. They are connected to Ambalavasi community Nambiar.

Chakyar is the main actor who performs the ritualistic Koothus and Koodiyattams inside the temple or in Koothambalams. Their women's- Illotammas are not allowed to participate in that. The women roles are done by ladies of Ambalavasi Nambiar community called Nangyarammas.Nambiar (Ambalavasi) plays the holy drum Mizhavu.

Mani Madhava Chakyar
( 1899 - 1990 )

There were several Chakyar families throughout Kerala, but now their number is small. Mani family is one of them. Their place is in North Kerala, Malabar. The greatest Koodiyattam and Chakyar koothu exponent, Natyashastra scholar world renowned, Natyacharya Vidushakaratnam Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar belongs to this family.

Chakyars preferred to associate themselves more with the Nambiar (Ambalavasi)s than what they considered the unequal status amongst the Namboothris.