Chavittunadakam Tradition: K. R. Sunil's Latest Exhibition Highlights Kerala's Heritage

Does art simply imitate life, or does it actively reflect and reshape the world around it? Plato’s ancient Theory of Mimesis suggested that all art is a form of imitation.

But reality is rarely that simple. Take, for instance, Chavittunadakam (Chavittu, in Malayalam meaning stamping and Nadakam, drama), a lesser-known theatrical tradition from coastal Kerala. It’s the subject of Kodungallur-based photographer K. R Sunil’s ongoing exhibition Chavittunadakam: Storytellers of the Seashore at Fundação Oriente, Panjim. His compelling visual storytelling immerses viewers in a telling narrative of the lives of the actors, while drawing attention to the environmental challenges facing the coastal village where it thrives.

Says Dr. Paulo Gomes, Director, Fundação Oriente, Panjim, "With his new photographic series, the result of years of close collaboration with the artists of Chellanam, K. R. Sunil captures the striking contrast between the grandeur of the theatrical characters of Chavittunadakam and the distressing conditions of their lives. I'm working with my colleagues at the Museu do Oriente to explore possibilities of taking this impressive exhibition to Lisbon."

Rooted in 17th-century Portuguese colonial influence, Chavittunadakam is a powerful fusion of Kerala’s indigenous martial traditions with European operatic styles. Traditional music, dance, elaborate costumes, dramatic dialogue, and rhythmic footwork enliven tales of Christian saints, kings, and biblical heroes. Today’s shorter performances highlight contemporary concerns—from climate change to local socio-economic issues along traditional themes.

Sunil spotlights a fishing community in transition, where cultural resilience meets environmental urgency. In doing so, the exhibition invites us to reflect: Is art merely a mirror, or is it also a call to action?

Realistic portrayal

Viewers are drawn into the world of Chavittunadakam through Sunil’s lens, where striking portraits of the performers from the small Latin Christian fishing community of Chellanam, south of Kochi, embody both dignity and despair. These characters wear vibrant costumes adorned with cardboard and plastic crowns, with their hands on their hips, displaying cultural pride. Their solemn faces betray a deeper narrative: the looming threat to their homes and heritage.

Unlike their aristocratic stage personas, the performers live in harsh realities. Dressed in grandeur yet standing in ankle-deep water, Sunil juxtaposes the actors against crumbling homes and rising tides—visual metaphors for a community grappling with climate change and cultural erosion.

For Sunil, Chavittunadakam 'is more than performance—it is survival.' “This series amplifies their resilience, illuminates the international significance of their Portuguese-influenced art, and draws urgent attention to the global issue of climate change,” he says.

His photographic journey began in 2014, following a visit to Chellanam that stirred something deeper. Over the next four years, he immersed himself in their world, shifting from observer to participant. “Through repeated visits, I connected with these performers who welcomed me into their lives despite their daily hardships,” he shares.

The lens also captures rare behind-the-scenes moments, including the quiet preparation before a show. In one frame, a woman—part of the generation that began entering the art form in the 1950s—sits under the warm glow of a bulb. The frame zooms in on the glitter on her cheeks, the age lines on her face, and the quiet dignity of someone carrying a legacy. The dark skins are dosed with extra makeup to appear white-skinned Kings and Queens, a response to the caste-ridden society and prejudice the artists face.

There are no corporate sponsors, no velvet curtains, or floodlights used in this dying art form. The stages are humble wooden platforms.

While the Drifters left fans crooning to their classic pop ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’, the Chavittunadakam performers cling to their last dance before the sea they revere washes away their memories and livelihoods.

K. R. Sunil

The exhibition is on in Goa till August 17, 2025 and moves to Portugal after that.