Temple Festivals in Kerala & the art forms associated with them
Kerala’s temples have grand celebrations, and these celebrations were in olden times regarded as opportunities for social gatherings more than worship. They promote art and culture and provide livelihood to many artisans who associate themselves with rural artforms, some of which are on the brink of extinction.
Theyyam in North Kerala
An overpowering dance drama that celebrates heroes aimed at retelling the great legends of the bygone era with vibrant hues and movements. The Theyyam season usually falls during October and lasts upto around May end or June. A Theyyam performance is a combination of playing of musical instruments, vocal recitations, dance, and a peculiar orangish makeup. The Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam is one of the famous theyyams in Kerala.
The dance is generally performed in front of the village shrine or in the houses as ancestor-worship with elaborate rites and rituals. It is an open theatre where no curtain or stage divides the audience from the performer.
Poothan & Thira of the erstwhile Valluvanadan regions
Dressed in elaborate wooden head gears, anklets and bright costumes, the performers of this ritual art that is showcased in certain parts of Palakkad and Malappuram districts of Kerala, are a sight to behold. The “Thira” represents Goddess Kali and the “Pootham” signifies her Bhoothagana or consort of spirits. The Poothan and Thira perform in the temple premises and then march down the streets to the rhythmic beats of drums with vehement hand and head sways transforming onlookers to a trance like state. Usually takes places during the months of January & February.
Thrissur Pooram
The Thrissur Pooram is an annual temple festival held in Trissur, held at the Vadakkunnathan (Shiva) Temple every year in the Malayalam month of Medam (usually April). It is the largest and most famous of all poorams in India.
One of the major events in Thrissur Pooram is "Madathil varavu", a panchavadhyam melam (the traditional orchestrated drum recital), that has more than 200 artists taking part, with instruments such as thimila, madhalam, trumpet, cymbal and edakka, various types of drums. At 2:00, inside the vadakkumnathan temple starts the Ilanjithara melam, one of the central attractions of the pooram, consisting of drum, trumpets, pipe, and cymbal.
It is a spectacular show with displays of music, art and tradition witnessed by an extremely humungous gathering.
