Kalamezhuthu

This is a presentation about the traditional art named Kalamezhuthu (Rangoli) and a satire dance cum drama performance called Kakkarissi Nadakam.

1. Kalamezhuthu & Kakkarissi N adakam Jinu Jose 114

2. Kalamezhuthu The Kalamezhuthu is a forty-day ritualistic festival beginning with the first of Vrischikam (Scorpio) in most Bhagavathy temples in Kerala The paintings of the Kalam commences with a ritual called Uchappattu (noon songs). The Kalam would be completed by evening. Vannan uses a stringed instrument called Nantuni .

3. Nantuni It is a musical instrument used in ` Kalamezhuthu pattu ’.  About 4 feet in length, little strings are fixed to a hard plank of wood. When hit on the strings softly with a twig, a sound is produced.

4. The kalam (floral drawing) - also called powder drawing The artist uses the floor as his canvas . The colored powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural products only.

5. The pigments are extracted from plants – rice flour (white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red).

6. The figures drawn usually have an expression of anger. Kalamezhuthu artists are generally members of communities like the Kurups , Theyyampadi Nambiars , Theeyadi Nambiars and Theeyadi Unnis .

7. Kalamezhuthu pattu ( Kalam Pattu ) is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like Kaali , Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan ; a   Hindu deity  worshipped in parts of  North Kerala  and North-Western  Tamil Nadu. The kalams or drawings are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment of musical instruments like ilathalam , veekkan chenda , kuzhal , kombu and chenda .

8. Kakkarissi Nadakam Kakkarissi Natakam is a folk art form popular in Central Travancore Prevalent among the Kuravas of Thiruvananthapuram district, this group dance. The protagonist in most of the plays is known as Sundara Kakaan . Besides there are other characters like Kakkathis , Vedan etc. The handsome Sundara Kakaan is the representative of the Kakkala community (a nomadic tribe of fortune-tellers).

9. With dance steps and songs, they perform on stage. It contains wild beatings of primitive drums like para, veekkan chenda etc.  The instruments used are Harmonium, Mrudangam , Ganchira and Kaimani .

10. a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvathy and Ganga when they assumed human forms as  Kakkalan  and  Kakkathi  - a nomadic tribe of fortune tellers. The legend only serves as a skeletal framework for the play, which often turns into a subtle critique of contemporary society.

11. The language is a blend of Tamil and Malayalam . The chief Characters are   Kakkalan ,  Kakkathi ,  Vedan ,  Velichappadu ,  Thampuraan  and the ubiquitous Jester. The  Dholak ,  Ganchira ,  Chenda  and the  Harmonium  provide the background score .

12. The play opens with a welcome song. Then enters the Kakkalan . He comes with a fire – torch raised. He dances to rhythmic beats. ‘ Thampuran ’ will be seated on the stage as the questioner. The question – answer session between the ‘ Thampuran ’ and kakkalan moves the play forward. The play progresses with song and dance. The Kakkarissi Natakam depicts social criticism, satire etc

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