Attams or more specifically "elaki attams" are sequences of acting within a story acted out with the help of
mudras without support from vocal music. The actor has the freedom to change the script to suit his own
individual preferences. The actor will be supported ably by Chenda, Maddalam, and Elathalam(compulsory),
Chengila(not very compulsory).

The following are only some examples. 'Kailasa Udharanam' and 'Tapas Attam' are very important but not described
here (willbe added later). Two of the many references are:
1. 'Kathakali Prakaram'- pages 95 to 142 by Pannisheri Nanu Pillai.
2. 'Kathakaliyile Manodharmangal' by Chavara Appukuttan Pillai.

1. VANA VARNANA - Bhima in Kalyana Saugandhika.

Modern man looks at the forest, indeed the birthplace of primates, with a certain wonder and a certain respect.
Kathakali characters are no exception. When Pandavas were living in the forest, one day, a flower, not seen before,
wafted by the wind, comes and falls at the feet of Panchali. Exhilarated by its beauty and smell, Panchali asks
Bhima to bring her more such flowers. To her pleasure Bhima is ready to go at once. But Panchali asks him what he
shall do for food and drink on the way. Bhima thinks and says " Food and Drink! Oh, this side glance(look) of your's.
This look of longing. This look of anticipation. The very thought fills me up. I dont need any food and drink at all.
Let me go." He takes his mace and off he goes.

Ulsaham (Enthusiasm ) is his Sdhayi Bhavam (Permanent Feature).

"Let me go at once in search of this flower" says Bhima "The scented wind is blowing from the southern side. Let me
go that way". After walking some distance he sees a huge moumtain called Gandhamadana, and three ways. He
decides to take the middle one which goes over the mountain. After going further "The forest is getting thicker. Big
trees, big branches in all directions. The forest looks like a huge dark vessel into which even light can not penetrate.
This is my (Bhima's) way. Nothing can hinder me" . So saying he pulls down many trees. Sometimes he shatters
the trees with his mace. Suddenly he sees an elephant. "Oh! Elephant". He describes it. Its trunck. Sharp ears.
The itching sensation in the body. It takes some mud and throws on the body. Oh good. Then it sucks water and
throws on the body. Somewhat better. Slowly it starts dosing even though alert at times. A very huge python is
approaching steadily. Suddenly it catches hold of the elephant's hind leg. The elephant wakes up and tries to
disengage the python.

The python pulls to one side. The elephant kicks and drags to the other side. This goes on for some time.
Bhima looks to the other side where a hungry lion is looking for food. It comes running and strikes the elephants
head and eats part of the brain and goes off. The python completes the rest .

"Oh my god, how ruthless!" says Bhima and proceeds on his way.

2. UDYANA VARNANA - Nala in Nalacharitham 2nd day

Descriptions of Gardens are found in most dance forms of India and Abroad. These are also common in Kathakali.
Newly married Nala and Damayanthi are walking in the garden. When Nala was lovingly looking at Damayanthi a
flower falls on Damayanthi. Nala is overjoyed and thinks that this is a kindness nature has shown on his wife.
Nala says " On seeing the arrival of their queen, the trees and climbers are showing happiness by dropping flowers
on you." He tells her " See that tree. When I used to be alone the tree used to hug the climber and seemingly laugh
at my condition". Then he looks at the tree and says " Dear Tree, Look at me now. See how fortunate I am with my
beautiful wife."

Both wander about. A bumble bee flies towards Damayanthi. Immediately Nala protects her face with a kerchief.
He looks at the bee and then at Damayanthi. He says " On seeing your face the bee thought it was a flower and
came to drink the nector."

Nala and Damayanthi listen to the various sounds coming out of the garden. Damayanti says " It appears that the
whole garden is thrilled. The flowers are blooming and smiling. Cuckoos are singing and the bees are dancing.
Gentle winds are blowing and rubbing against our bodies. How beautiful the whole garden looks." Then Nala says that
the sun is going down and it is time for for them to go back and takes her away.

3. SHABDA VARNANA - Hanuman in Kalyana Saugandhikam

While Bhima goes in search of the flower, here Hanuman is sitting doing Tapas with mind concentrated on Sri Rama.
When he hears the terrible noises made by Bhima in the forest he feels disturbed in doing his Tapas. He thinks
"What is the reason for this?". Then the sounds become bigger. "What is this?" he thinks "The sounds are
getting bigger. Such a terrible noise. Is the sea coming up thinking that the time is ripe for the great deluge(Pralaya).
Birds are flying helter - skelter. Trees look shocked. Even Kali Yuga is not here. Then what is it ?
Are mountains quarrelimng with each other? No, That cant be it. Indra had cut off the wings of mountains
so that they dont quarrel. Is the sea changing its position? No it cant be. The sea has promised it will not change
its position again. It cant break the promise."

Hanuman starts looking for clues. "I see elephants and lions running in fear of somebody. Oh a huge man is coming
this way. Oh, a hero is coming. He is pulling out trees and throwing it here and there. Okay. Let him come near,
We will see."

4. THANDEDATTAM - Ravana in Bali Vadham

After his theranottam Ravana is seen sitting on a stool. He says to himself " I am enjoying a lot of happiness.
What is the reason for this?" Thinks. " Yes I know it. I did Tapas to Brahma and received all necessary boons.
Afeterwards I won all ten directions. I also defeated my elder brother Vaishravana. Then I lifted Kailas mountain
when Siva and Parvathi were having a misunderstanding. Parvathi got frightened and embraced Siva in fear.
Siva was so happy he gave a divine sword called Chandrahasa. Now the whole world is afraid of me. That is why
I am enjoying so much happiness. " He goes and sits on the stool. He looks far away. " Who is coming from
a distance. he is coming fast. Oh it is Akamba. Okay. Let me find out what news he has for me."

5. ASHRAMA VARNA - Arjuna in Kiratham

Arjuna wants to do Tapas to Lord Siva and he is looking a suitable place in the Himalayan slopes.
He comes to place where there is an Ashram. Arjuna looks closely at the place. " Oh. What a beautiful place
this is. A small river in which a very pure water is flowing. Some hermits are takimng bath in the river.
Some hermits are standing in the water and doing Tapsas. Some are facing the Sun. Some are standing
in between five fires. Arjuna salutes the Hermits from far. Arjuna says to himself " Look at this young one of
a deer. It is looking for its mother. It seems to be hungry and thirsty. Nearby a female tiger is feeding its young
ones. The little deer goes towards the tigress and pushes the young tiger cubs aside and starts drinking milk
from the Tigress. The Tigress looks lovingly at the young deer and even licks its body as if it were its own child.
How beautiful. How fulfilling."
Again he looks " Here on this side a mongoose and a serpent forgetting their enemity are hugging each other.
Thisplace is really strange and made divine by saints and hermits. Let me start my Tapas somewhere nearby."
A sloka called "Shikhini Shalabha" can also be selected instead of the above if time permts.

6. AN ATTAM BASED ON A SLOKA

Sansrit slokas are sometimes shown in mudras and it has a pleasing and exhilarating effect. Different actors
use slokas as per his own taste and liking. However the slokas are taught to students during their training period.
An example is given below.

Sloka:
Kusumo Kusumolpatti Shrooyathena Chathushyathe
Bale thava Mukhambuje Pashya Neelolpaladwayam

Meaning:
A flower blooming inside another flower is not known to history. But, my dear, in your lotus like face are
seen two blue Neelolpala flowers (eyes).

7. A CONVERSATION BASED ON A SLOKA

Sanskrit slokas can also be used to express an intent. One such example is a sloka used by Arjuna addressed
to Mathali the charioteer in Kalakeya Vadham.

Sloka:
Pitha: Kushalee Mama hritha Bhujaam
Naatha Sachee Vallabha:
Maatha: kim nu Pralomacha Kushalinee
Soonurjayanthasthayo
Preethim va Kushchate Thadikshnavidhow
Cheta Samutkanuthe
Sutha: tvam Radhamashu Chodaya vayam
Dharmadivam Mathala

Meaning:
The husband of Indrani and the lord of gods my father - Is he in good health? His son Jayantha - Is he
stictly following the commands of his father? Oh, I am impatient to see all of them.

8. SWARGA VARNANA -Arjuna in Kalakeya Vadham

Arjuna goes to heaven on the invitation of his father, Indra. After taking permission from Indrani he goes out to see all
the places in Swarga. First he sees a building, his father's palace. It is so huge with four entrances. It is made of
materials superior to gold and jewels of the world. Then he goes ahead and sees Iravatha. Here he describes it as an
huge elephant with four horns. He is afraid to touch it. Then he thinks that animals in Swarga can't be cruel like in the
world and so thinking he goes and touches and salutes Iravatha. He also describes the churning of the white sea
by gods and demons with many details and how Iravatha also came out of the white sea due to this churning.

He walks on and sees his father's (Indra's) horse. It is described as being white and its mane is sizzling like
the waves of the white sea from which it came. He touches and salutes the horse also. Then he goes to see the river
of the sky (or milky way). He sees many birds by this river and how the birds fly and play is also shown.

Then he sees the heavenly ladies. Some are collecting flowers, and one of them comes late and asks for some
flowers for making garland. The others refuse. She goes to the Kalpa Vriksha and says 'please give me some flowers'.
Immediately a shower of flowers occurs which she collects in her clothes and goes to make garlands chiding the others
"See.. I also got flowers".

After this he sees the music and dance of the heavenly ladies. First it starts with the adjustments of various instruments
Thamburu, Mridangam, Veena and then the actual music starts along with the striking of cymbols. Then two or three
types of dances are shown.
Then comes juggling of balls.
It is described by a sloka thus:

Sloka:

Ekopi Thraya Iva Bhathi Kandukoyam
Kanthayaa: Karathala Raktharaktha:
Abhrastho Nayanamareechi Neelaneelo
Bhumau Talcharana Naghamshu Gaurgaura:

Meaning:

One ball looks like three balls. When it is in the hands of the juggler, it takes the redness of the hands, when it
goes up it takes the blueness of the eyes, when it strikes the ground it becomes white from the whiteness of the leg nails.

Once a juggled ball falls down. Then she, the juggler, somehow manages to proceed and remarks "See.. how I can do it".
At one time a garment slips from a lady's body and she adjusts the cloth showing shameful shyness (Lajja).
Then the ladies go in for a Kummi dance.

As Arjuna was enjoying this dance, suddenly somebody calls him. Arjuna feels scared. 'Oh God, where am I?' he says,
and then he beats a hasty retreat.