Theeyattu

Theeyaattam also known as Theeyaattu (Tīyāttu) is a traditional dance form. There were two types of Theeyaattam - Bhadrakali Theeyaattu and Ayyappan Theeyaattu. Bhadrakali Theeyattu is performed by Theeyaattunnis (a Brahmin community in Kerala) whereas Ayyappan Theeyaattu is performed by Tīyyādi Nambiars (Ambalavasi).

Bhadrakali Tiyyattu is a ritualistic dance usually performed in Bhadrakali temples, mostly in the Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts of south-central Kerala. Pallippurathu Kavu at Kottayam (family temple of Kottarathil Sankunni) Thrikkariyoor Mahadeva Temple,Panachimangalath Bhadrakali temple(family temple of Panachimangalath Illam) near Kothamangalam,Vanarkavu at Madakkathanam, near Thodupuzha,Puthukulangara Devi Kshetram near Thiruvalla are some of the places where tiyyattu is performed during annual festivals. It is also performed as an offering at temples and houses.

The performance has many parts of which - preparation of the ritual art known as kalam (Kalamezhuthu), singing songs in praise of Bhadrakali and the performance of the dance are a few. Kalamezhuthu is done during the day using natural coloured powders on the floor. An elaborate picture of Bhadrakali is normally made. The singing of the songs take place after the Kalamezhuthu is finished in front of it and may last up to three hours. For the dance a male member dresses up as Bhadrakali, a creation of Shiva. In the performance she is just back from killing Darika and is telling the events to Shiva who is symbolised by the lighted lamp. As she was affected by small pox and has pockmarks on her face she has her back to the lamp almost throughout the performance.

Shree Bhadra Kalasamajam, Kottayam made some efforts to revive and reform the art.As it is being as a ritualistic art form and has strict traditional rituals which are strictly followed even now,Theeyattu cannot be modified at one's will.

Ayyappan Thiyyattu is a temple art performed by the Thiyyadi Nambiar community, a minuscule ambalavasi community living (basically) in three central Kerala districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. The all-male art centres around the mythological story of the birth of Lord Ayyappa from the relationship of Lord Vishnu in his ephemeral impersonation as Mohini and Lord Shiva.

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