ART & DANCES OF KERALA
Theyyam is one of the most outstanding folk arts of Kerala and has
its origin in the northern parts of the state. Also called Thirayattam,
(because every thira or village performed this ritualistic art at the
village temple) this primitive ritualisic art demands long hours preparation
before the performance.
TheTheyyam (a form or shape) represents
a mythological, devine or heroic character. There are over 350 Theyysma in
northen Kerala. The hood, headdress , face painting, Breast plate,
bracelets,garlands and fabric of attire of each of these Theyyams are
distinct and meticulously crafted according to the character presented.
Musical accomaniments are chenda and veekuchenda (drums), elathalam and
Kuzhal(horn). This art form is mostly performed in Bhagavathy temples.
Performances are on between october and May. Thira is the main subdivision
of Theyyam.
Cherumarkali is a harvest dance in which the
dancers, both men and women move in a swift rhythm, linked in a back lock or
holding arms. The costumes are in striking red and white.
Kaalavela
is a spectacular procession of huge, gaudily decorated motifs of bulls
(kaala.)
Kalampattu (kalamezhuthu pattu) is another folk
art form that belongs to the northern regions of Kerala. This art form which
is over 600years old is performed by a group of five to fifteen people in
Bhadrakali and Ayyappa temples. The rituals is performed around the kolam
-an elaborate picture, usually of Bhadrakali, drawn on the floor, using five
colours. The performance in the light of temple torches lasts through the
night. The singers are neatly dressed with women wearing their hair on the
side of the head. A series of songs (kalampattu) are sung to the
accompaniment of nanthuni and elathalam.
Kalaripayattu
is the comprehensive system of martial arts if Kerala, regarded as one of
the oldest and most scientific in the world. Kalaripayattu training aims at
the ultimate co-ordination of mind and body. The traditional training in a
Kalari includes specialisation in indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris
are also centres of religious worship.
Kaliyoottu is an
eight day long colourful folk ritual which re-enacts the combat between
goddess Durga and the demon Darika. The ritual is performed in different
stages. The climax of the play- the ritual called paranettu- is performed on
a specially constructed 100 feet high stage on the eight day.
Kanniyarkali (Deshathukali) which is a ritual art and a swift dance
form, performed to the accompaniment of devotional folk songs and the
resounding drum beats is usually performed in Bhagavathy temples.
Kavadiyattam is a ritual dance offering in Subramanya temples.
The group of devotees wearing bright yellow or saffron costumes with ash
smeared all over the body, dance in a frenzy carrying Kavadis on their
shoulders. Kavadis are colourful bow shaped wooden structures rising six to
ten feet high. The ambalakavadi is structured and decorated like a temple.
The Pookavadi has clusters of colourful paper, cloth or plastic flowers
arranged on them. The resounding beats of percussion instruments like udukku
and chenda and the nadaswaram are characteristic of the kavadi procession.
Kettukazhcha is a spectacular pageant of colourfully
decorated effigies of gods and goddesses, and images of animals like the
horse, bull etc.
Kolkali is a group dance form of the
farming community in Kerala. Twelve to twenty four dancers move rhythmically
in a circle around the ceremonial lamp, tapping the two feet long wooden
sticks held in their hands.
Kummattikali is a temple
folk art and an awe inspiring mask dance.
Kumbhamkali /
kumbhamthullal (pot dance) is a folk ritual dance of devotees carrying
pots on the head.
Kuthiottam is a ritual art exclusive to the Devi temples of
south Kerala. A team of artistes perform this song and dance ritual. The
songs include those in praise of
Durga and other deities, Padapattu
(war songs) and Kalaripattu (martial art songs). Instrumental accompaniments
are mainly percussions, ganjira, bells and chaplankatta. Faces are painted
and red curtains are used as partitions on the stage.
Pooram
is the great elephant pageant of certain temples in Kerala. Bejewelled
tuskers numbering ten to hundred, line up for this exotic spectacle with
mahouts siting atop them carrying the muthukuda (tinsel covered silk
parasols) and waving the venchamaram (white tufts). The pageant is
accompanied by the panchavadyam which gradually works up to a crescendo. The
most fascinating aspect of the pooram is the Kudamattom ritual, the
ceremonial synchronised changing of the colourful parasols held aloft the
elephants.
Mamangam (the term today describes any
endeavour that is reckless and expensive). This festival is a replication of
the cultural extravaganza held every 12 years by the zamorins of Malabar in
the middle ages. Royal families, principalities and chieftains from all over
Kerala used to participate in this great cultural event which was held on
the grounds of the Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple at Ponnani in Malappuram.
Mayilnritham/Mayilattom is a ritual art performed by
artistes in peacock costume. It is performed in Subramanya in south Kerala.
Oppana is a Muslim bridal group dance.
Padayani
(literally, a column of army) is a colourful ritual art which is symbolic of
the victory march of goddess Kali after she defeated the demon Darika. The
elaborate costume of this art form bears slight resemblance to Theyyam.
Poothamkali (pootham) is a folk art more commonly
performed in the Bhagavathy temples of Malappuram. Pootham is the character
who accompanied Durga in her combat with Darika asura. The performers,
usually three in number, undergo a week of austerity before the
presentation. Colourful and intricately designed masks carved out of the
pala and murukku trees are the highlights of the attire. The fifteen minute
performance starts slowly and works up to a frenzy towards the end. The
thudi provides rhythm to the dance which is usually rendered at night.
Pulikali also known as kaduvakali is a common sight in Kerala during
festive seasons. Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and
black, dance to the loud beats of percussion instruments like the udukku and
thakil.
Sarpa pattu (sarpam thullal) or snake dance is a
ritual art performed in shrines and temples devoted to Nagaraja the king of
serpents. It is performed by women who belong to the Pulluvar caste, in a
specially decorated pandal, before the sarpakalam (snake designs on the
floor). The women dance in a frenzy to the rhythm of the sarpa pattu, until
they fall down exhausted. The sarpa pattu is performed to the accompaniment
of veena, kudom and kaimani.
Thattumelkoothu is a
devotional folk art. The dance is performed on a special platform which
carried around the temple by devotees even as the performance goes on.
Thidampu Nritham which is over 700 years old, is a ritualistic
art form of North Kerala. The dancer moves to the rhythmic beats of the
chenda carrying the thidampu (the idol of the deity) on his head. Seven
artists accompany him on percussion instruments while two others hold aloft
the ritualistic lamps. The artiste wears much jewellery and a decorated
turban known as Ushnipeetam.
Thiruvathirakali is a dance
form which is a pointer to the old customs followed in Nair tharawads (joint
families) where the women of the house dance elegantly around the ceremonial
lamp or floral decoration on festive occasions to the accompaniment of the
Thiruvathira Pattu (song).
Thiyyattu is a devotional
offering to Bhadrakali and Sree Ayyappa. This ritual art is performed in a
specially decorated pandal, before the Kalam (five colour design on the
floor), the traditional lamp (nilavilaku), and peetam (stool). The
performance usually starts at dusk. The artists sing and dance to the
rhythmic music of the chenda, elathalam and chengila. The costumes bear
resemblances to Ottanthullal and Kathakali, the distinctive features are
huge jingling anklets and face makeup with tiny white dots.
Tholpavakoothu
which is said to have originated in the 18th century is also known as
pavakoothu (puppet play) or nizhalattam (shadow play). This entertainment
art is performed on a special stage called koothumadam in the temple
courtyard. Puppets (pavakal), usually representing four characters from the
Ramayana, are arranged behind a long white screen, in front of bright wick
lamps. The puppets made of deer skin are made to dance to songs from the
Kamba Ramayana (the Tamil version of the epic). The performance starts late
at night and continues up to daybreak.
Vadithallu is
almost similar to Kolkali and is a folk dance in which artistes tap the
short sticks held in both hands.
Velakali is one of the most elaborate and spectacular martial
folk arts of Kerala. This ritual art form is usually presented within the
temple premises and is called Thirumumbil vela when performed before the
deity and Kulathivela when performed near the temple pond. Fifty or more
performers in the traditional attire of soldiers, bearing colourful shields
and swords or long canes, dance with war like steps in perfect orchestration
with the resounding rhythm of the thakil, suddha maddlam, elathalam, kuzhal
and trumpets. A few fighting techniques of Kalaripayattu are also displayed
in the course of the performance.
Koothambalam: Special
hall in the temple premises for ritual and classical art performances.
Koothumadam: Stage specially erected for certain ritual and
classical art performances in the temple.
