Many ancient family houses in kerala have special snake shrines called Kavu. Sarpamthullal is usually performed in the courtyard of houses having snake shrines. This is a votive offering for family wealth and happiness. The dance is performed by members of a community called Pulluvar. In the first stage the Pulluvan draws a Kolam (picture) of two or more twining snakes in the courtyard. An oil - lit traditional lamp and one full measure (nirapara) each of paddy and rice are then placed in front of the kolam. In the second stage, the idol of the snake is brought out from the Kavu in a procession called thalapoli to the uproarious tumult of percussion instrument (panchavadya). A number of girls with their hair dressed up like the hoods of snakes and reminiscent of the legend of the naga kanyakas partake in this procession. The idol is placed in the kolam and the poojari performs ritual offerings while the girls sit in two rows on the side of the kolam. The poojari then dances round the kolam to the rhythmic beating of para and elathalam. All the while a pulluvan and pulluvathi will be singing special devotional songs set to tune and rhythem by nanduni (a primitive type of veena) and kudam ( a primitive form of modern khatam) respectively. As the song gathers momentum the girls go into a trance and began to dance, swaying their body slowly at first and steadily ascending in tempo. The dance finally erupts in a violent frenzy of rhythmic fervour.

This is a ritual dance common with bhadrakalipattu, ayyappanapattu and veitaykorumakapattu. Since it seals with trances and evil spirits,only a few are allowed to perform it. Usually the members of the kallathukuruppanmar enjoy this right.In the first stageof the dance there is kalamezhuthu,in which the form of the deity is drawn on the floor with the aid of five types of coloured powders.Then devotional songs are sung to the accompaniment of nanthuni,a musical instrument.After this the dancer known as velichappadu enters,with red flowery clothes,red scarfs,a gridle of bells at the waist and a sword in hand slowly he gets into a trance and executes vigorous movements which is technically called idumkoorum chavittal.

Numerous miniature temples are constructed out of tender co-count frond and plantain leaf-stalks.Then songs are sung on the leg-endary right between ayyappan and Vavar.In tune with the various rhymes and rhythms of this devotional song,two dancers in the costume and make up of Ayyappan and Vavar perform, striking with swords and defending with coconut fronds.The dancers exicutevigorous foot-movement.In the last stage,a huge fire called aazhiis lit and the dancers jump into the birning embers still dancing.

This is martial folk-dance which had its origin during the days when kalaripayattu,the famous physical exercises of swordplay and defence,wasin vogue in kerala.the performers dance with sword and shield on their hands,following the movements of sword fight leaping forward, stepping back and moving round,all the time striming with the swords and degending with shields.Mateisl songs are sung throughout and the cymbals chime in perfect unions with the steps and the striking og swords against the shields.In the Malabar area theis dance is performed by Thiyyas and in the Travancore area by Christians.

A dance of the pulayar community. This is performed after the harvest. Models of oxen and horses are made out of bamboo and forest twigs and decorated with white clothes. Umbrellas of five to seven storeys are also similarly constructed and decorated with tender coconut fronds, flowers etc. These are taken round from house to house. The bearers execute a very simple dance, moving the legs to the left and right, front and back.

Mainly performed as a votive offering in temples where the presiding deity is lord Subrahmania. Here a number of dancers dressed in yellow or rose clothes and smeared all over the body with ashes and each with an ornate kavadi on the shoulder, dance in a row to the rhythmic beatings of instruments like udukku, chenda etc. Sometimes nagaswaram is also used.

This is a devotional offering of pulayas for the deity Bhadrakali. Special pandals are constructed in the fields after the harvest and the dances are performed. They are quite drawn - out and have numerous phases. Different types of make - up and costumes are used for each phase and the participants dance to the acompainment of devotional songs and percussion instruments.


VELA KALI

A marital dance of the Nair community. This depicts ancient warfare in Kerala in all its ferocity and valour. Armed with shining swords and shields in exotic costumes they dance with vigour and force. The dance ends with the victory of good over evil.

The word Purathu means limitation or mimicy. It is a humorour folk-play which many characters like Chettiar, Chettichi, Kuravan and Kurathi are cleverly imitated to evoke laughter. The accompanying songs are almost Tamil. The purattu performed by Ezhavas or Pulayas ( NEXT PAGE.........)