Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kavadi Aatam is a religious dance offered to Lord Muruga during a pilgrimage, made mainly by men, which originated in Tamil Nadu. It is a colorful (as you can see in the photos) ritual dance widely prevalent in the Subramanya Temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the festival season. The Kavadi, which are set on top of the dancers, can reach 10-15 feet high, and when the dancers twist and spin in a row it creates a quite beautiful effect.
Photo credits: Anuraj
Theyyam is based on a traditional belief system, and is a self-contained world without obligations to caste, community, society and religious faith. Fire has a major presence in many Theyyam myths. Continue reading
Mudiyattu is an drama associated with the worship of the Mother Goddess, Bhadrakali. It is performed with minor variations in almost all parts of the state. The dance form depicts the taking over of the mudi, or crown, from the demon Darikan by Bhadrakali. Continue reading
The Velichappadu or Komaram (oracle, or revealer of light) is an integral part of the rural life of Kerala. The Malayalam word Velichappadu literally means “the one who throws light on any problems”. Believed to be a representation of the deity in a temple, oracles often belong to a particular family. Dressed in red and adorned with heavy ritual ornaments and garlands, they often carry heavy hooked swords. The deity is believed to speak as the Velichappadu dances, delivering the frenzied forecasts. There are both male and female Velichappadus.
Organikos 