Kalamezhuthu
The
kalam is a unique drawing also called dhulee chithram or powder drawing. The
artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part
of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan.
This ritualistic art is a common feature of temples as well as noble households.
The kalams or drawings are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment
of musical instruments like ilathalam, veekkan chenda, kuzhal, kombu and chenda.
The coloured powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural products only.
The pigments are extracted from plants - rice flour (white), charcoal powder
(black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), and a mixture
of turmeric powder and lime (red). It often takes more than two hours to finish
a kalam drawing with appealing perfection. Decorations like a canopy of palm
fronds, garlands of red hibiscus flowers and thulasi or Ocimum leaves are hung
above the kalam.
The figures drawn usually have an expression of anger, and other emotions. Kalamezhuthu
artists are generally members of communities like the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars,
Theeyadi Nambiars and Theeyadi Unnis. The kalams drawn by these people differ
in certain characteristics.
The Kalamezhuthu is a forty-day ritualistic festival beginning with the first
of Vrischikam (Scorpio) in most Bhagavathy temples in Kerala.
Kerala Art & Culture
Theyyam ||
Patayani || Poothanumthirayum
|| Paana || Tholppavakkoothu
|| Velakali || Kalamezhuthu
|| Margomkali || Mudiyettu
|| Koothu || Kannyarkali
|| Arjuna Nritham || Kavadiyattom
|| Theeyattu || Kummattikkali
