Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:57:00 AM
It is believed that various forms of arts worshipping goddess Bhadrakaali prevailed much before the origin of temples. Once the worship of gods and goddesses started at the temples, various types of arts used to be performed to please goddess Bhadrakaali at Bhadrakaali temples. By and
large, many of them were ruined while others continued to be performed systematically and in a more dramatic manner. "Mudiyettu" is one among them, a mixture of entertainment and devotion. The period of origin of Mudiyettu is un-traceable. This art is more of a ritual than dramatic. "Theeyaattu" is another ritual performed in Bhadrakaali temples. Mudiyettu is the story of the war of Bhadrakaali with the two notorious Asuras Daarikan and Daanavendran, eventually Killing them, while in Theeyaattu, Bhadrakaali reports to Lord Paramasiva after the assassination and briefs the whole incident. Mudiyettu, compared to other forms of temple arts, is presented without much of `mudras', facemasks and facial expressions, but with facial make-ups and `chutti' (artwork done on face with rice paste) which makes the characters simple and more acceptable to the viewers. Originally these characters used to perform with speech and dance, but later on rhythmic steps were introduced which gives more life to the characters and makes the performance more interesting.
Mudiyettu is a ritual art where viewers also participate in the performance. Once the artists get separated, ie, since they `come to the light', the scene becomes more dramatic. It can be inferred that the character `Kooli' in Mudiyettu is the first of its kind to amuse the viewers by comic speech and action.
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:56:00 AM
Poorakkali is one of the prominent ritual art forms of northern Kerala, especially in Kasargod and Kannur district. It is staged by a group of artists in the Bhagavathy temple premises and in front of sacred Bhagavathy Kavus and shrines. This is an integral part of pooram festival celebrated during the month of Meenam i.e. during March-April. The festival lasts for 9 days, starting from Karthika day to Pooram day. Pooram is celebrated to mainly praise the god of love named Kamadeva. Though pooram is mainly meant for the women folk and maiden young ladies, this poorakkali is performed by men folk. It is said that in ancient days poorakkali was performed by women folk. A group leader who is well versed in the art and poorakkali songs leads the other artists in the group. This person is known as Panikkar. The song sung by the group leader is always repeated by the other artists and that too in chorus. This is a dance rhythmically around a sacred lamp with elegant steps. While dancing the players clap their hands uniformly to the tune of the song and according to the Thalam by the group leader. Poorakkali has got 18 different forms. These ritual songs sometimes narrate the stories from epic like Ramayana and easily able to attracts the older generation.
The ritual dance form authorizes intense training and good physical stamina. This dance form has some unique features, which can cater the attraction of the spectator very well like the forward and backward movements and the abrupt variations in the speed and directions.
This art also includes Marathukali. This is mainly a question answers session that is carried out by the opponent leaders and in this form the answers should be prompt and smart. This splendid ritual art form has become the monopoly of certain castes namely Yadavas or Maniyanis, Thiyyas or Ezhavas, Mukayas, Saliyas, etc. of Hindu religion.
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:55:00 AM
Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam.
Pulikali, also known as Kaduvaakali, is a 200 year old art, carefully preserved by the artists of the state. Literal meaning of Pulikali is the 'play of the tigers' hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur (Trichur) and Palghat districts of Kerala. Best place to watch the show is Swaraj Ground at Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam, where Pulikali troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills.
The Appearance
Striking feature of this folk art is the colorful appearance of the performers. To get the semblance of a tiger artists paint themselves in bright yellow with patterns of black and red. A tiger mask on the face completes the get up.
It is a painstaking job and artists spend a whole night prior to the performance day on their make-up. Patience of artists must be appreciated, as most paints contain toxic chemicals which create a burning sensation when applied on newly shaved bodies.
The Play
It is a wonderful sight to see humans in the guise of tigers roaming in the streets. Children, specifically take great delight in their performance as the entertainers dance, pounce and walk like a tiger. Scenes of tiger hunting goats and tiger being hunted by a human beings are also beautifully depicted by them. Beat for the dance movement is provided by percussion instruments like
'udukku' and
'thakil'.
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:55:00 AM
This is a ritual offering usually performed to get rid of the troubles caused evil - spirits. Here a number of characters, with hideous make-up and flat big head - gears dance to the accompaniment of primitive percussion instruments. The costumer of the dancers are highly decorative and rich in colour and brilliance. There is no accompanying song.
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:54:00 AM
Garudan Thookkam (Eagle Hanging) is a ritual art form performed in Kali temples of south Kerala, south India. The people who dress up as Garuda perform the dance. After the dance performance, the hang-designate dangle from a shaft hooking the skin on his back. In some places, the ritual is performed colorfully with Garudas taken in a procession on bullock carts or boats or hand pulled carts. It will be available in Devi temple during the festival of Meena bharani and Pathamudayam in Thiruvanchoor in Kottayam district.
Legend has it that even after slaying Darika, Kali remained insatiable and thirsty. At this time Vishnu sent Garuda to Kali to quench the thirst. A dancing and bleeding Garuda was taken to Kali and only after getting some drops of blood from Garuda, Kali was pacified. The ritual is performed based on this belief.
Garudan Thookam is submitted as a reward for the problems solved in the abode of Goddess Kali. This is more popular in the areas of Travancore and Kochi. There is a famous Garudan Thookam at the Elamkavu Devi temple at Vadayar in Vaikkom taluk of Kottayam district. During the Aswathi, Bharanthi days of Meenam Month (Malayalam), more than 40 to 50 numbers of Garudan in the Thooka chadus, decorated and floated in thoni vallams (big country-boats), travel behind the Attuvela - a wooden structure constructed in the form of a three storied building which is considered as the floating temple of the Goddess Kali in the Moovattupuzha river. This is one of the best sights, with illuminated Structures. After the night long performance with the help of scores of chenda experts, the Garudans - bleeding after the Choondakuthal (Piercing of the skin on their back with a sharp metal hook) will be hung on a tall pedestal-like structure and taken thrice around the temple by the devotees. This is seen at the Pazhaveedu temple at Alappuzha district. But here the performance is done on a chariot-like structure on the road.
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:50:00 AM
Theeyaattam also known as Theeyaattu (Tiyattu) is a traditional dance form performed by the peoples of Theeyaattunni and Thiyaadi Nambiar,a sub-caste of Ambalavasi community inKerala
of southwestern India. There were two types of Theeyaattam - Bhadrakali Theeyaattu and Ayyappan Theeyaattu. Bhadrakali Theeyattu is performed by Theeyaattunnis (a Brahmin community in Kerala) whereas Ayyappan Theeyaattu is performed by Tiyyadi Nambiars (Ambalavasi).
The performers of Bhadrakaali Theeyattu are located only at a few places across Kerala. One of the dominant Theeyattu families is Nedumprom Panavelil Madhom located at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta Dist.(Kerala).They have centuries old tradition in performing Theeyattu. Brahmashri V Subrahmania Sharma and Brahmashri S.K.Sharma are the chief performers from this age-old Brahmin family. Family is well-known for Tantric and Mantric Poojas,Guruthi, Astrology etc. Other performer is Brahmashri Sasidhara Sharma from Ullala along with his brother Brahmashri Narayana Sharma. There are some other performers spread across other parts of Kerala too
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:49:00 AM
Theyyam or Theyyattam is a popular Hindu ritual of worship in North Kerala state., predominant in the Kolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kannur and Kasargod districts). As a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs, it embraces almost all the castes and classes of the Hindu religion in this region. The performers of Theyyam belong to the indigenous tribal community, and have an important position in Theyyam. This is unique, since only in Kerala, do both the upper-caste Brahmins and lower-caste tribals share an important position in a major form of worship. The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of Devam or God. People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this Theyyam.A similar custom is followed in the Tulu Nadu region of neighbouring Karnataka known as Bhuta Kola
The dance or invocation is generally performed in front of the village Shrine. It is also performed in the houses as ancestor-worship with elaborate rites and rituals.
There is no stage or curtain or other such arrangements for the performance. The devotees would be standing or some of them would be sitting on a sacred tree in front of the shrine. In short, it is an open theatre. A performance of a particular deity according to its significance and hierarchy in the shrine continues for 12 to 24 hours with intervals. The chief dancer who propitiates the central deity of the shrine has to reside in the rituals. This may be due to the influence of Jainism and Buddhism. Further, after the sun sets, this particular dancer would not eat anything for the remainder of that day (again possibly on account of a legacy of Jainism). His make-up is done by specialists and other dancers. The first part of the performance is usually known as Vellattam or Thottam. It is performed without proper make-up or any decorative costume. Only a small, red headdress is worn on this occasion.
Again after a short interval he appears with proper make-up and costumes. There are different patterns of face-painting. Some of these patterns are called vairadelam, kattaram, kozhipuspam, kotumpurikam, and prakkezhuthu. Mostly primary and secondary colours are applied with contrast for face painting. It helps in effecting certain stylization in the dances. Then the dancer comes in front of the shrine and gradually “metamorphoses” into the particular deity of the shrine. He, after observation of certain rituals places the head-dress on his head and starts dancing. In the background, folk musical instruments like chenda, tuti, kuzhal and veekni are played in a certain rhythm. All the dancers take a shield and kadthala (sword) in their hands as continuation of the cult of weapons. Then the dancercircumambulates the shrine, runs in the courtyard and continues dancing there. The Theyyam dance has different steps known as Kalaasams. Each Kalaasam is repeated systematically from the first to the eighth step of footwork. A performance is a combination of playing of musical instruments, vocal recitations, dance, and peculiar makeup and costumes. The stage-practices of Theyyam and its ritualistic observations make it one of the most fascinating theatrical arts of India.
Posted by Rashid Areacode (9895261956)
On 6:48:00 AM
Koodiyattam Koodiyattam or Kutiyattam is a form of sacred theater traditionally performed in Hindu temples in the state of Kerala, India.
Performed in the Sanskrit language or an early form of Prakrit, it is believed to be at least two thousand years old, making it the oldest living theater tradition in the world. Koodiyattam blends ritual, sacred traditional precepts, and rehearsed elements with creative improvisation. Complicated gesture language, chanting, and exaggerated expressions of the face and eyes are complemented by elaborate headdresses and makeup. Until the 1950s, Koodiyattam was performed only by men of the Chakyar caste and women of the Ambalavasi Nambiar caste in sacred theaters, called Koothambalam, on the grounds of the Hindu temples of Kerala. Concerned about preserving the tradition, Koodiyattam master Mani Madhava Chakyar began staging performances outside the temple in 1955. Mani Madhava Chakyar’s troupe performed all over India and helped to popularize the art form. In 2001, Koodiyattam was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
