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Ankhiya Nat is a religious theatre form created by
Sankaradeva (circa 1449-1568) in order to spread the message of
Vaishnavism. 'Ankiya' means (one) act and 'Nat' means drama. These one-act
plays are characterised by the glittering white costumes of the orchestra
and the rather fanciful effigies of demons and animals.
The Performance
A
performance begins at 9.00 pm with singing and dancing to the music of
drums, the entourage emerging from the "Agni-Gad" (archway of
lights) opposite the shrine. After the distribution of prasada (sacred
food) to the musicians, the 'Sutradhar' (narrator, stage manager) makes
his entrance, and after paying his respects to the god, recites a verse
from the play at hand and presents a song.
Theme
Only after Krishna has appeared on stage and danced across to the shrine
can the play begin. The events are those of Lord Krishna's life and the
actors (usually male) who play Krishna and Balaram (Krishna's brother) are
believed to be temporarily possessed by the gods. The Sutradhar remains on
stage to prompt the actors and explain events to the spectators.
Giant effigies of demons and animals are made out of bamboo and covered
with painted papier-mache. These figures can be as tall as 15 feet and
need several actors to manipulate them. Animal masks are worn as well.
Time Of The Festivity
Religious occasions of any kind are sufficient reason to stage an Ankiya
Nat such as Krishna's birthday "Janamashtami
", the memorial day of the saint Sankaradeva and a full moon night.