THRISSUR: Support is growing for the long-pending demand to open the koothambalams (temple theatres designed for staging Chakiar Koothu, Nangiar Koothu and Koodiyattam) for all performers, transcending the caste barriers.
At present, artists from some communities Chakiars, Nangiars and Nambiars (for percussion) have been vested with the exclusive hereditary right to perform in most of the koothambalams, which are an architectural marvel unique to Kerala.
