Kalam
This ritualistic art form is prevailed in north and north-central Kerala with slight differences. There is a temple art by the same name Kalampattu among the communities of Kuruppanmar, Thiyyambadi and Thiyyadi who draw kalam in Ayyappa and Bhadrakali temples and perform a ritual. But kalampattu or kalamezhuthu, the popular folk art, is performed by Kaniyar and Pruvannan communities in north Kerala and by Kallattukurupanmar in north-central Kerala. These performers traditionally make a living by weaving baskets with palm leaf. This art form is believed to be around 600 years old. In a performance, five to fifteen people take part. In some places Kalampattu done by Kaniars is a customary ritual-aid for safe pregnancy, for aiding reproduction and for sound physical health. The rituals begin with the drawing of the kalam picture in five colours on the ground by using vegetable colours. In the kalam picture, the form of Bhadrakali is depicted. The kalam, near which the performance takes place, is drawn inside a pandal. At four corners of the pandal are hung special lamps, and nilavilakku placed near the kalam. A possessed woman accompanied by married women, all neatly dressed with hair tied to the side of the head, will enter the kalam. The singers begin the kalamirakkupattu, the first one in a series of songs. This is followed by a ritual known as kalathilari, then kizhiyedukal that involves a sealed earthen pot taken inside the kalam. At this time, women holding bouquets of coconut flowers stand near the kalam. What ensures is the badhachalanapattu, the song for exorcising evil next phase is the rendering of songs narrating stories from classical literature, viz, Balavijayam, Kalyanasougandhikam, Darikavatham, Nalacharithm, Sandanagopalam, etc. The performance comes to a close with polivupattu. In the central region, various other characters such as Ayyappa, Vetteykorumakan, Anthimahakalan are included in the kalam.
Size: 5400px × 3600px
Location: Kerala India.
Photo credit: © Chinju@digipix / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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