Kalamezhuthu - The art of creating very large pictures on floor is more than 2000 years old

Kalamezhuthu


The art of creating very large pictures on floor is more than 2000 years old, with coloured powders have been in vogue for ages as a ritual art form. It is typically south indian and unique to Kerala.It is a harmonic blend of Dravidian and Tribal traditions.

As an art form it has found a significant place among our rich spectrum of fine arts and is the only art form that exists with a three dimensional perspective not found in any other art form that exisits from the ancient world.In most other parts of India this art exists as a domestic routine of Hindus, who consider it auspicious to draw certain patterns at the door step and courtyard to welcome a deity into the house. It is called by names like Rangoli, Kolam etc.

Usually Kalamezhuthu is conducted as part of the general festivities in the temple, or as part of a major ritual like Nagapuja. The rituals related to the Kalam are performed by the artists themselves, usually the traditional drummers. Offerings like rice and other grains are heaped in appointed places in and around the drawing and the room is decorated with flowers, leaves and garlands. Lighting is of utmost importance in these rituals. Only oil lamps are used. Singing hymns in praise of the deity is the most important part of the ritual. The type of songs vary considerably (from folk to classical) depending on the deity being worshipped. The drawing starts at appointed time and shall be erased immediately after the rituals related to the Kalam are over.

All these rituals are performed in places of worship called "Kavu" (roughly translated as grove) or small temples. Besides general welfare of the village, these rituals aim at warding off of such calamities like Small Pox and other epidemic diseases, by the benevolence of the goddess. This belief is stemmed in the story of Bhadrakali defeating and killing Darikasura, whose associates terrorised the entire universe by spreading terrible contagious diseases. Theeyattu is one of such performing arts, popular in the central part of Kerala. Like most others of similar lines, Theeyattu also is accompanied by a number of mandatory rituals, some of them artistic and others purely ritualistic, often associated with Bhadrakali worship.


Kalamezhuthu & Pattu

The word Kalamezhuthu may be roughly translated as Powder Drawing. This is a magnificent form drawing performed by drawing large figures using coloured powders. No tools like brush are used for the purpose. The powder is spread on the floor in the desired pattern with bare hands, letting it in a thin stream between the thumb and the index finger. These large pictures are drawn on the floor of the temple hall or specially prepared pandal (pavilion) rendered sacred by purifying rituals and decorated elegantly with tender leaves and colourful flowers.

The picture (called Kalam) is drawn according to stringent guidelines in respect of pattern, details and dimensions. The powders are made out of naturally available material. The are of five colours, representing the five elements (Water, Air, Sky, Fire and Earth) called Panchabhootas, which constitute everything created. These materials are Rice (white), Charcoal of husk (black), Turmeric (yellow), a mixture of lime and turmeric (red) and green leaves of certain trees.


The process of Kalamezhuthu starts at noon on the day when Theeyattu is to be performed during the night. The ritual starts with singing songs in praise of Ganapathi, Saraswathi, Guru (celestial preceptor) and other gods. The singing is accompanied by drums and gongs. The figure drawn is that of goddess Bhadrakali, in the fierce mood after killing Darikasura. She is portrayed with eight hands, each bearing a different weapon (like sword, spear, discus, pestle, bow etc..), except two. One of these holds aloft the severed head of Darikasura by the hair. The other hand holds a platter to collect the blood dripping from the severed head. When the drawing completed, lighted oil lamps are placed in strategic positions to further brighten the colours.




Sandhya kottu (Percussion concert at dusk)

All the percussion instruments used in the performance join in a concert at sunset. This is a ritual announcing to those staying around that a performance is due that night. This had a particular significance in the old days when modern publicity methods were not available. Ethirelpu (Procession)

This is a ritual in vogue almost in every temple as part of the festivities. The idol designated for the purpose will be taken out in a procession around the temple. It will be preceded by girls bearing decorated platters and percussion concert.


Kalam Pattu

Songs in praise of the goddess are sung near the Kalam. In this she will be narrated from head to foot and vice versa, with the accompaniment of designated percussion instruments.

Gurudi

This is a mandatory ritual performed before Theeyattu to appease the demonic spirits (Bhootha) who assisted the goddess in her ordeal. This is a tantrik ritual resembling a sacrifice.


Theeyattu

The performance part of the art is done by a single actor called Theeyattunni. He enters the venue, lighted by a huge oil lamp, with the make up of goddess Bhadrakali, minus the headgear. He chants several hymns invoking the benevolence of various gods for the success of the performance and welfare of the audience. He wears the huge headgear in front of the audience. From that moment onwards he represents the goddess. The performance is presented as if Bhadrakali is reporting the incidents leading to the killing of Darikasura to her father, Lord Siva, represented here by the lighted lamp.

The performance develops through several chants, dances of thandava style, gestures and gesticulations. The gestures are rarely in strict accordance with Hastha Mudras of classical dance. The script, prose or verse, of the goddess is rendered by the actor, whereas all others are rendered by one of the accompanists.The act is concluded by the enacting of the killing of Darikasura, representing the destruction of evil


Kalamezhuthu is unique form of ancient art found only in Kerala South India. Here it is essentially a temple art. The patterns to be drawn and the colours chosen are traditionally stipulated, and the tradition is strictly adhered to. Kalams are drawn in connection with the worship of Devi, Naga and Sastha. Certain variations of the rituals are found in Tantric rituals too. In each case the patterns, minutest details, dimensions and colour choice are mandatory and not arbitrary. The patterns vary considerably depending on the occasion, but rarely by the choice of the artist. Even the order of creation is laid down. The drawing of the large picture develops gradually about a central line, drawn with the black powder. Sketching, if done, is also with powder only. The coloured picture is developed patch by patch, growing outward.

Sadly there are few communities left in kerala to continue with this amazing,three dimensional art form

Kings/Kingsley

The Shocking Truth About Me

I am an atheist. That’s the next worst thing you can say in this world after I am gay. Neither is wrong, if you really consider it to be ones personal choice. But telling your religious parents that you find the whole idea about religions funny, doesn’t give you a funny result. How dare you think logically and reason huh? Younger ones more or less accept it without much fuss. But some still think - It’s the new in thing among some metal heads like satanic worship and devil cults. They don’t understand that atheists don’t believe in that either. Satan sure sounds cool and seems to be thinking more on our terms, but it’s still a myth. It’s the God believers who believe in satan and hell and all those cool names American pubs have.

So with my enlightened self, I thought its good to have conversation with religious people regarding religion. I thought it was educational to have debates with them. I thought they would listen to my point of view, just like I listen to theirs. I thought they would consider it to be fair to hear my case. So, I was wrong. Sue me.

I was wrong because of religious people and their strong faith. Its quiet interesting what happens to their strong faith when you even say anything remotely negative about their religion. The faith that’s not supposed to waver, that’s not supposed to be doubted, that’s not supposed to be affected by anything, just vanishes and is replaced by anger or irritation. They all take it personally. Well faith is a personal matter you might say. People hold it very close and it’s like insulting their mother or likes. But that doesn’t mean that others can’t question them. I mean, if I tell a person, your mother actually doesn’t exist and that she’s a myth, the person would at worst laugh at me. Because that person knows for sure it is not true. But when I say hey your god doesn’t exist, they go crazy fucking wild. Because they are not sure if its true and don’t want it to be questioned?

It’s not normal to be an atheist in this world. But like Richard Dawkins said, everyone is an atheist. As far as a muslim is concerned, a Christian or a hindu is an atheist, because he doesn’t believe in allah. Atheist just goes one god further. Anyway. The point is, I had people come and ask me what made me an atheist. And I answer them. With all the reasons I have for it. Starting from how rubbish the idea sounds to me. Whoa! That’s blasphemy, that’s murder. Come on. I don’t expect people to listen to me and convert to atheism. I don’t expect them to believe or even understand what I believe in. But at the least, let me be. I can drink and smoke myself to death, and they wont care. But I don’t go to temples and hey I am wasting my life away. I will pay for it in hell. I guess I would have to pay anyway. So how much is a beer for?

I personally think religion is the root of many evils and that god is a mythical super hero. But that’s my perspective. I will stick to it. I don’t want any ones support, and I can very well handle people ridiculing me. Because I believe in atheism. I don’t fool myself and the rest of the world that I believe it. I just do. So it doesn’t matter to me what they say about how I think, I will continue being myself and I won’t take any of it personally. So for people who get insulted every time I say Mahabharatha is an entertaining story or that I think Jesus Christ is a fictional character, I guess I cant do much about it. Hold on to your faith, if you really have one