Ritualants of Kerala
(Immortal Symbols at the Verge of Irreparable Deterioration)
-Part 4-
Poora Kali
Poora Kali was a ritualistic practice followed in the Bhagavathi temples of the Malabar districts in Kerala during the Malayalam month of Meenam (mid March to mid April). It was celebrated for nine days, ending on the Pooram star (11th of the constellation in Malayalam calendar). History states that it was a festival of dance and music practiced by people from particular category, in the social strata of society. Those included in such categories were Theeyyan, Mukkuvan, Moyon, Chaaliyan, and Moosaari. The myth about the origin of Poora kali reminds to imagine it as a festival of spring or as a celebration of love.
It was during that time, when Parvathi, daughter of Himavaan was doing a penance for winning Siva as her husband. It was a necessity for Devas that Siva should get a son to kill Tharakasura. They recognized the unavoidable circumstance to change Lord Sivas mind from hardcore divine state to a passionate one in order for them to achieve their wish. Indra, Devas leader advised them to seek help from Kamadeva (god of love) who is believed to be an expert in resolving such junctures. Indeed, their attempt through Kamadeva turned out fruitful. Sivas heart softened with Kamadevas induction of love. But when Siva realized that his penance was disrupted, he became furious and opened his third eye, the eye he opens only when he is intensified with anger. The moment he opened his eye of destruction, Kamadeva diminished into ashes. On losing her husband, Rathidevi, the distressed wife of Kamadeva did penance to propitiate Mahadevi; when Devi appeared in front of her, she pleaded for getting Kamadeva back to life. Thus as a boon from Mahadevi, Kamadeva was reborn as the son of Sri Krishna to Rugmini and was named Pradhyumna. Pradhyumna was born in the month of Meena on the pooram day. To celebrate the birth of the newborn in the Devakula the Devakanyaas namely, Urvasi, Menaka, Rambha, Thiloththama, Arundhathi, Chitralekha and Raththavi danced in heaven. One of the heavenly damsels (ahalyas) in earth, named Puru, too danced on earth. Krishna happened to see the dance of Puru from Brahmaloka and called her to Vrindavan, Sri Krishnas palace garden. Imagining her as Durga, Krishna adored her and celebrated in her honor. At that time the Gopas too joined in the festivity and danced to their hearts content. It is believed that Poora kali came into existence in memory of that celebration in Kerala. According to old belief, as only Gopas took part in the performance, it is noticeable that this ritual performance is played only by males. Maruththu kali is another variation of Poora kali. The significance of Maruththu kali is in the performers forming two groups under two leaders and beautifully arguing and performing various topics. It is said the Theeyya community elevated that Poora kali to present days prominence.
Elephants decorated with ornaments on forehead, musical instruments, hoardings and fireworks are specialties of Poora kali. Before the start of Poora kali certain disciplines need to be followed. Poora kali begins only after performing Ishtadevata vandana, Deepa vandana, Navavandana, Navaksharavandana etc. During Poora kali, praises in honor of Poora Devata, Ganapathi, Saraswati and Sree Krishna are sung; similarly stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata are also sung. Important scenes in Poora kali are Angam, pata, Chayal, Paambaattam, Saiva kooththu, Yogi, Aandu and Pallu. Poora kali ends with songs known as Polichcha paattu and Thozhunna paattu.
Kanyaar Kali
Kanyaar kali is a ritualistic dance form popular in the Devi temples of Palakkad district. The method to perform this was by singing and dancing in a circular pattern around a lighted lamp. Chenda, Utukku, Itakka, Madhalam, Ilaththaalam, Chengala are the musical instruments used for background. Kanyar kali is classified into two varieties viz. Vatta kali and Pooraattu kali. The staging of Kanyar kali took four days. Vatta kali style in Kanyar kali had ritualistic importance. The dancing pattern of each day in the Kanyar kali was included in the Pooraattu kali. Irava kali, Aandi kooththu, Vallon kali, Malama kali are the four varieties of Pooraattu kali. It is noticeable that the songs of Kanyaar kali had the influence of Tamil, the language of the neighboring state.
Kuththiyottam
Kuththiyottam is a ritualistic art form of dance performed in the Bhagavathi temples and other places of worship (kaavu) during the festival season in Kerala. Usually children participated in this. They are decked up with artificial crown on their head, faces colored with dotted designs and other parts of body adorned with jewelry. These participating children are accompanied with a procession of Thalappoli (ladies and children formed two rows holding in a plate coconut half filled with oil and a lighted wick , with flowers and raw rice spread in the plate) musical drums and special welcoming sound known as kuravavili. Then they are taken to the temple. Public accompanying the procession repeat the lines of the songs accompanied with musical beats. Once the crowd enters the temple worshipping of the deity and prayers follow. After that, holding the Paricha (shield) and other weapons the Kuththiyottam performance begins. The songs at the time of Kuththiyottam mostly refer to Bhadrakaali and that is the specialty of this art form.
In the next concluding segment of this series, reminding us the Anushtaanakalakal of Kerala, we will see more about the Iyvar kali and Kooththu.
Translated by
Lakshmy N