Kerala has a long theatrical tradition associated with the temple. Cultural activities ranging from music and dance to theatre and drama took place in the temple precincts. The temple has been regarded as the most important center of religious and cultural activities. The only surviving link we have with the traditional Sanskrit drama of India is the Koodiyattam, which has lived and flourished in the temples of Kerala for several centuries. Koothambalams - temple theatres - are unique institutions within the precincts of Kerala temples. This is the theatre where some of the most sophisticated artistic emanations take place. This is where Kings and ministers, aristocrats, scholars and warriors, poets and intellectuals gather to witness performances such as Koodiyattam and Koothu. Koodiyattam literally means dancing together - dancing, acting, performing. Practiced by the community of Chakyars, it is a highly stylized theatre tradition, austere, remote, ritualistic, and slow. But the slowness is not born through a lack of dynamism but through a kind of severe discipline, every movements timed to perfection, controlled, deliberates even restricted to measured limits. The techniques employed are sometimes masterpieces of understatement. The civilized movements are marked by economy and precision carefully studied, impeccably executed. The Sanskrit drama tradition of Kerala traces its origin to the 9th or early 10th century. While the tradition of Koodiyattam in its present form can be deemed to be a development from the early medieval period, what is important is that it is still a living tradition - a tradition of considerable value to scholars interested in the continuity of Sanskrit drama in India. The existence of this form of Sanskrit drama was largely unknown to scholars outside Kerala for a long time because the performances were restricted to the precincts of the Kerala temples primarily as part of temple rituals. But, for some years now, Koodiattam has moved out of the temple into the theatre and performances have been taking place not only in different parts of Kerala but also in other cities of India and in several countries abroad.