Chakyar, Kerala's age-old stand-up comedian, has a modern avatar now

THE stand-up comedian of 11th century Keralam, Chakyar who with their wit and humor used to entertain the elite caste through the temple art Chakyar kooth, has finally entered into the family circles in a lighter form than how it it once used to be.

- KS SREEJITH

For the first time the art has been transformed from its original form and performed in marriage ceremonies to receive the bride and groom, to entertain the guests and in cultural ceremonies. Interestingly, the man who has transformed the art by taking its costumes and the satirical language is also a stand-up comedian of modern times, Pradeep Poolani from Chalakudy in Thrissur district. Pradeep is a well known mimicry artist in the state with two decades of experience. "In Ke