THIRAYATTAM-MOTHER OF ETHNIC DANCES

Thirayattam is ritual art form performed in sacred groves and ancestral families of northern Malabar. It is an ethnic art form manifested to please the deities and rapid in movements. The word "Thirayattam" refers to a ‘colourful dance’. It is an admixture of dance, drama, songs, instrumental music, facial and bodily makeup, martial art and rituals, composed in a harmonizing manner. "Thirayattam" differs from other performances by its unique customs, tradition and artisticity . Thirayattam is performed in the courtyards of sacred groves with the accompaniment of traditional torch-light (coconut palm leaves) and chenda- a vernacular percussion instrument. It reflects the antique life-style and tradition through the unique customs. Thirayattam shows certain similarities to ‘Mudiyettu’ of central Kerala, 'Padayani’ of Travancore, and Kola of  "Thulunaadu". But it has no relationship with ‘Poothanum Thirayum’ of Valluvanad. The performance falls between  January and April. Sacred groves (Kaavu) are thick vegetation isolated for divine reasons. No priesthood is allowed in "Kaavus". In fact it is a Dravidian cult expressed through the culture and customs. The concept of Tree-worship and Hill-god worship etc are practiced in these "Kaavus" and reflected in Thirayattam survived through generations of caste hierarchy and priesthood as an expressive tradition of the oppressed class, igniting a sense of identity and their expression of collective self. Traditionally the right to perform Thirayattam is of ‘Peruvannan’ community. But ‘Panar’ and ‘Cheruma’ etc also perform Thirayattam.  Thirayattam is performed only by the men folk. Vellattu is performed in daylight and Thirayattam is in the light of choottu. Vellattu represents the Teenage  of the deity Thira, Chanthu Thira, youthhood and old age respectively. Mythical deities, vernacular deities and ancestral deities have ‘Kolams’. Vellattu has light ornaments and the dance in slow pace. Thira has the most dynamic and rapid movements, whereas Chanthuthira becomes lighter again. Each  Kolams has unique facial and bodily makeup. Only the natural objects like tender coconuts Palm leaf, arecanut Palm leaf, Bamboo, nutshell, wood etc are used. Chenda (percussion), Ilathalam (Brass), Thudi (a small percussion instrument), Panchayudham (wind), Kuzhal (wind-woodden) are the musical instruments used in Thirayattam. Kolams perform with imaginary weapon reminding ‘Kalaripayattu’ the traditional martial art of Kerala. Karumakan (Spear), Karivilly (bow and arrows), Bhaghvati (royal sword), Veerabhadran (white-axe), Moorthi (wooden stick and shield) are the weapons. Choottukali (a kind of dance with traditional torche-light) accompanies Thirayattam with faster dance. Choottukali is the rhythmic dance with torches in both hands and martial practices along side. Each Thira has identical Thottam and Anchadi (Mythological recitation), in which the myth is recited in detail. Anchadi is a summarized form of myths of ancestral deities and other deities, and noted for its meter and recitational excellence. Thirayattam expresses the divinity of Shiva or related Gods and Goddesses or Devi or Related cults of goddesses. Ancestors and other great personalities known locally also becomes Thirakkolam. They are called ‘Kudivecha Moorthy’(enshrined deities) . "Koladharikal" or "Kettiyattakkar"(performers), "Chamayakkar" (makeup-men), "Vadhyakkar"(musicians), "Komarangal"/"Velichapad" (oracles), Anushtana" Vidwanmar" (experts of tradition ) and aides constitute the aides team. "Bhagavati" Thira(Goddess) is a most important "Kolam". The murder of Darika (Darika vadham) is the text for Bhagavathi Thira. Bhadrakaali, Neelabhattari, Nagakaali, Theechamundi(goddesses), Karumakan, Kariyathan, Karivilly, Thalashilavan, Kulavan, Ghandakarnan, Mundian, Bhairavan, kuttichathan, Veerabhadran (male deities), Guru Moorthi, Panthappurath panjali(enshrined deities) are the Thirakolams. Ritual part of Thirayattam are irunnupurappad, Kaavil Kayaral, Poovum Naarum, Kayyishtamedukal, Villikale kettal, Kaavunarthal, Oonuthattu, Aniyara Pooja, Odakk Kazhikkal, Manjappodi, Aradhana, Thirunetti Pathikkal, Guruthi Tharpanam, Peetham Peral, Chanthuthira, Kudikoottal are the major rituals. 

                                            Karumakan & Kariyathan