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.
Home
French
|
Español
|
Italiano
|
Deutsch
|
Português
