Kalakat Illam
Encyclopedia
Kalakat Illam
(also pronounced as Kalakattu Illam) is the house name of a family of Brahmins in northern Kerala
. This family of Brahmins are allegedly gifted with powers of Manthravaadam and Thanthram, or Tantra
. The term Tantra here, refers to the method of practices carried over based on certain beliefs on divine energy and its link to the human microcosm. The Tantriks
(one who practices tantra) or the Tantri of Kalakat Illam practice only the Dakshina Maarg of the centuries old Tantra
Shastra
in their rich cultural traditions (Shastra means a science which gives teaching, instruction, or command). Apart from performing Manthravaadam they are also Tantriks of various temples in Northern Malabar. They hold the Thantrik rights of temples like Devaprathishta, Kalasham, Sreebhoothabali, other important rituals and poojas in a Hindu
Temple. The Tantriks are accorded as guardian (pitru sthaanam) of the deity. Kalakat Illam is situated at Purakkunnu Panchayat in Kannur District reachable from Payyannur in Purakkunnu Bus.
, Parasurama sanctioned festivals like Kaliyattam
, Puravela and Daivattam or Theyyattam to the people of the North Malabar
region. "There can be no doubt", say Bridget and Raymond Alchin, "that a very large part of this modern folk religion is extremely ancient and contains traits which originated ruing the earliest periods of Neolithic, Chalcolithic settlement and expression" and, indeed, Theyyam is representative of a form of Hinduism (albeit non-Brahminical) which co-existed with the Sattvic rituals practised by Nambudiri Brahmins like the Kalakat Illam in temples. Theyyam is an art form of the Dravidians.
There are six known generations of Kalakat Illam. In the chapter Manthrika Nayanam, of the book Kerala Mahatmyam, it is said that the Namboothiri of Kalakat Illam was brought from Kumbakonam
in Tamil Nadu by Parashurama
. It is reported to be one of the seven Illams created by Parasurama, members of whom are delegated to perform the divine rituals in temples and exorcism
. They have the power of healing the mental and physical ailments through the power of mantra
s and poojas. People from various parts of the world go there for their prayers and well conduct in their lives. The deity, Bhagavathy or kali
worshipped by people as divine mother, is said to be very powerful and can bring goodness to all the people who worships. Hence it can be lined that Namboothiris of this illam are the mediators between the god and common people.
The tantrik practices are made based on a science which was scripted on thaali-ola or palm leaves by the ancestors of this Illam. Many of the ancient, scripted leaves are still preserved at Kalakat Illam. The old stories say that during the period of one of the great grand fathers of the illam, other Brahmin's robbed many scriptures. There are certain rituals performed in temples that are common to all the Tantrik families and the priests of temples. There was an age, when the members of the illam used to practice Ayurveda and treat illness with potions, ghee, honey, Tulsi, Vibhoodhi and other medicines made of natural sources. The treatment for epilepsy is very effective at the illam and patients still approach the namboothiris of the illam. The manuscript on palm leaves which gives the make of these medicines are also kept safe at Illam.
Once a pious Kalakat Namboothiri while returning from Kottiyur temple after prayers, stopped at dusk for Sandhyavandanam
at Manathana temple. While bathing in the nearby brook, he noticed a lady bathing in the adjacent bay. The lady offered thaali and said would help him apply Thaali on Namboothiri's head. But, out of his intuition and elevated self he could soon realise it was no other than Bhadrakali
herself. When she offered the Thaali (herbal shampoo), but knowing that showing his head will be his end, told her that anything the divine Mother gives is "Amruthu" (nectar) for him, drank the Thaali. Kaali, being quite satisfied by the devotion, blessed and gave him a spear, a "Vaalkannaadi" (a mirror with a handle) and a crown ("Kireetam"). He consecrated the spear at Neeliyaar-kottam near Mangattuparamba of Kannur district, the Vaalkannaadi at Pulikkal-Raayara-mangalam, where tigers and cows graze together, and the crown in his own Illam. This crown is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum of the Illam.
This Illam was originally at Naarkkalam, 7 kilometers north of Kanhangad
, later moved to Chandrol (Chandranelloor) in Peringome village, and later moved to Perinthatta
(Purakkunnu), about 20 km east of Payyannur, its present location.
. Kaliyattam
is a term that can be used for festivals in temples and other sacred places.
There is a practice of conducting a three day "Utsavam" (Malayalam name for Festival) at Kalakat Illam, which is also known as "Kaliyattam". This is conducted on 10th, 11th, and 12 January every year. People from different parts of Southern India rush in to see the Theyyam
, an ancient traditional dance form of Northern Kerala
. A foreign crowd is also seen sometimes for their academic researches.
People of selected caste
vannaan, malayan etc. around the area put costumes and face paintings traditionally to depict the God's bhoothaganangal or gods themselves. During Kaliyattam, the Illam is painted new, many Brahmins come for different poojas and to witness the flamboyant festival. There will be different types of "Daanam"(sharing of wealth to get blessed). Gurussi or Guruthi (means sacrifice) is also offered to the deity in the first night of the start of Kaliyattam. Guruthi is a depiction of offering to the Shakthi(Bhagavathy) and seek her blessings. This ritual along with traditional lamps, pandams (fire at tip of a long broad stick) and Chenda
-melam, is beautiful as well as a horrifying sight. The Guruthi tharpanam is performed with a huge vessel which is filled with a mixture or turmeric, burning lime and water which would be blood red in color. Those who witness the invigorating Guruthi performance, finds it as an indescribable event. Devotees from Kodagu
(Coorg) District of Karnataka
are frequent visitors to the Illam. Because of the powers of Mantras and Poojas at the time of Guruthi people begin to lose their consciousness and start thullal (uranju thullal). It is also said that the ritual of Guruthi Tharpanam cures a woman suffering from mental abnormalities. These uncommon sights are solely part of the Kalakat Illam Aura.
Long stretch of poojas and a Thayambaka
is also performed before the Guruthi.
(temple) has been built and the "prathishta" has been done, in the presence of kshethra ooraalanmaar (owner of the temple), bhaaravaahikal (Committee members), and gramawasikal (local population), kshethra aacharyan (thanthri of the temple) will do Nithya-Nidaanam (daily worship like pooja, special pooja). In case of kalakat illam or similar illams the ooralanmaar and the aacharyan will be the same. Later to commemorate the "prathishta" day every year, thanthri along with the temple committee, with the support of gramawasikal will celebrate Utsavam or Kaliyattam in Northern Kerala or North Malabar
. The festival can be planned to be conducted on the same star sign of the prathishta day in subsequent years or any other day which is acceptable to all the people in the village. In Kalakat illam, the prathishta was done years back and no one living now does know when did the kaliyattam start. But its sure that, it is happening at least from last 150 years. Kalakat Illam is not recognized as a temple, but as another illam where there is a sanctum sanctorum and hence is like a temple where devotees come and worship. The kalakat illam can be mapped to a temple for a general overview on festival or the utsavam. An utsavam or Kaliyattam is celebrated to increase the "deva-chaithanyam" (glow of eternal peace) of the temple. In Kaliyattam, as earlier mentioned the vannaans or malayans would do artistic paintings on their body and face. Also with their ornamental costumes, they perform a peculiar dance, which is accompanied by the "pakka-melam" (percussion instruments played along). Hence in North Malabar, in Illams like Kalakat Illam or any other "Kaavu" (also known as Bhoothaalayam), synonym of temple, Kaliyattam is the main festival.
) of the god that is being worshipped in that temple or Illam. According to Hindu Mythology, a particular god can take different forms, and there are stories related to each of these forms. Hence in places like Kalakat Illam, Kaliyattam is celebrated for three days, which is stuffed different forms of the "Bhagavathy" (the regional name for goddess) of the illam and different stories associated with Illam and Bhagavathi.
Theyyam in some parts of south Malabar like Kozhikode
are known as "kolam". If the person who dresses up as Theyyam or kolam, the devotees see the theyyams as the reincanated form of their Ishta-devatha. At that stage there are paternal or fraternal relations. Theyyam is the god incarnate even for the biological father, and they don't talk anything casually. Theyyam is not only believed to be a form of god, but in certain places it's also a form of a human being who lived in the past. The human beings in certain places who possessed some kind of supernatural
powers are called as a "veeran" or a 'stuff of legend'. Later when they die their stories of fame are sung and forms are costumed as theyyam and remembered. Later down the lane of years this becomes a worship. Hence for example in Kerala, people know about legendary heroes like Thacholi Othenan, Kadam kottu Maakkam, Kathivannoor veeran (worshipped as Theyyam) etc. This mode of worship is known as "Veera-Araadhana".
, most importantly and the kuzhal
(like Kurum Kuzhal), small elathaalam. No other main instruments are used.
is also mixed up here and there. A Thottam will have the evolution story of the particular deity or a hero as mentioned earlier as, which "Daivika Amsham" it is from, its birth, its legends and fame. The song will have verses boasting a supreme hero, who showed supernatural
deeds and was a kind of god to the people. If we carefully study the lines of the 'thottam paattu (Paattu-Malayalam word for song)', we can know from which "Devatha roopam" it is. There had been detailed research that had been done on this, but the details are not very easily accessible. Also, it is important that the members of the family are supposed to understand and know the details of the theyyam. The major theyyams in Kalakat Illam are Ucha-kutti shaasthan (1st day daytime), bhairavan, karivaal, kakra-bhagavathy, raktha chaamundi (throughout 1st day night), uchitta (manthra moorthi), karin-kuttishaasthan, bhootham, (2nd day), pottan, gulikan, oorpazhasshi, vettakorumakan (also known as vettekkaran in some parts of kerala), prardhna kuttishaasthan, kurathi, vishnu moorthi, valiya mudi (bhagavathi incarnation - The most important theyyam in the neighbouring villages except in Kalakat Illam, where kuttishaasthan is the most important and sacred). There are certain weapons seen at the sanctum sanctorum of the Illam, which are used by the theyyam during their part of kaliyattam. Rest of the time it is kept along with the main deity, bhagavathy in the sanctum sanctorum and its powers are increased.
The kodava
or kudakar(people from the "Coorg"(kodagu) dist of Karnataka)plays an important role during the Kaliyattam at Kalakat Illam. They have a practice of worshiping the Manthramoorthi of Illam for numerous years, as old as the illam. They worship weapons like swords, dagger at their temples which are believed to be the weapons used by the goddess Bhadra-kaali. If they have a temple at their place and the root of that temple is in this Illam, they come here during kaliyattam every year and do komara darshanam of the manthramoorthi, perform pooja, increase the power of their weapons that they bring along, seek blessings from the thanthris at Kalakat Illam, and go back satisfied at the last day of the kaliyattam. The komara darshanam of the kodakar is done during the purapaadu of kuttishaasthan, and other powerful manthramoorthi theyyams.
Years long back, when there was no child births at kalakat Illam, and situation came like no more successors would be born, the eldest member (karnavar - Malayalam word for the eldest male member) of the Kalakat Illam, performed a homa or a yaga
. Amidst the Yaga a child appeared, and later this child started showcasing supernatural powers. This child was from then known as "Kalakatu karinkutti shaasthan". Here in the Illam, Karin-kutti shaasthan is depicted as the vaishnava and the ucha-kutti shaasthan as the shaiva amsham. There are other stories related to the birth and forms of the kutti shaasthan. But the mentioned story is formally accepted.
2. Chandranellur Bhagavathi Temple
3. Nambuthiri Tantrics
4. kalakattu illam perunthatta
5. Perinchelloor village
6. Thottam
7. Theyyam
8. Kaliyattam
Illam
Illam is a malayalee lineage system used for classification and identification of castes in Kerala, South India. The House of Namboothiries are also called the Brahmaalayam or Mana...
(also pronounced as Kalakattu Illam) is the house name of a family of Brahmins in northern Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. This family of Brahmins are allegedly gifted with powers of Manthravaadam and Thanthram, or Tantra
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
. The term Tantra here, refers to the method of practices carried over based on certain beliefs on divine energy and its link to the human microcosm. The Tantriks
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
(one who practices tantra) or the Tantri of Kalakat Illam practice only the Dakshina Maarg of the centuries old Tantra
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
Shastra
Shastra
' is a Sanskrit term used to denote rules in a general sense. The word is generally used as a suffix in the context of technical or specialized knowledge in a defined area of practice; e.g., Bhautika Shastra , Rasayana Shastra , Jeeva Shastra , Vastu Shastra , Shilpa Shastra , Artha Shastra ' is a...
in their rich cultural traditions (Shastra means a science which gives teaching, instruction, or command). Apart from performing Manthravaadam they are also Tantriks of various temples in Northern Malabar. They hold the Thantrik rights of temples like Devaprathishta, Kalasham, Sreebhoothabali, other important rituals and poojas in a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Temple. The Tantriks are accorded as guardian (pitru sthaanam) of the deity. Kalakat Illam is situated at Purakkunnu Panchayat in Kannur District reachable from Payyannur in Purakkunnu Bus.
Kalakat Illam History
According to the legendary KeralolpathiKeralolpathi
The Keralolpathi is a Malayalam work that deals with the origin of the land of Kerala. Shungunny Menon ascribes the authorship of this work to Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, a 17th century scholar of the Malabar region of India. The Keralolpathi is mostly an expansion from an earlier Sanskrit...
, Parasurama sanctioned festivals like Kaliyattam
Kaliyattam
Kaliyattam is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Jayaraaj, and starring Suresh Gopi, Lal, and Manju Warrier. The film is an adapted version of William Shakespeare's play Othello against the backdrop of the Hindu Theyyam performance...
, Puravela and Daivattam or Theyyattam to the people of the North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
region. "There can be no doubt", say Bridget and Raymond Alchin, "that a very large part of this modern folk religion is extremely ancient and contains traits which originated ruing the earliest periods of Neolithic, Chalcolithic settlement and expression" and, indeed, Theyyam is representative of a form of Hinduism (albeit non-Brahminical) which co-existed with the Sattvic rituals practised by Nambudiri Brahmins like the Kalakat Illam in temples. Theyyam is an art form of the Dravidians.
There are six known generations of Kalakat Illam. In the chapter Manthrika Nayanam, of the book Kerala Mahatmyam, it is said that the Namboothiri of Kalakat Illam was brought from Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam , also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India , is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur district in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 272 kilometres from Chennai, it is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam...
in Tamil Nadu by Parashurama
Parashurama
Parashurama , is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and belongs to the treta yuga, and is the son of a Brahmin father Jamadagni and mother Renuka. He is considered one of the seven immortal human. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of...
. It is reported to be one of the seven Illams created by Parasurama, members of whom are delegated to perform the divine rituals in temples and exorcism
Exorcism
Exorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed...
. They have the power of healing the mental and physical ailments through the power of mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
s and poojas. People from various parts of the world go there for their prayers and well conduct in their lives. The deity, Bhagavathy or kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
worshipped by people as divine mother, is said to be very powerful and can bring goodness to all the people who worships. Hence it can be lined that Namboothiris of this illam are the mediators between the god and common people.
The tantrik practices are made based on a science which was scripted on thaali-ola or palm leaves by the ancestors of this Illam. Many of the ancient, scripted leaves are still preserved at Kalakat Illam. The old stories say that during the period of one of the great grand fathers of the illam, other Brahmin's robbed many scriptures. There are certain rituals performed in temples that are common to all the Tantrik families and the priests of temples. There was an age, when the members of the illam used to practice Ayurveda and treat illness with potions, ghee, honey, Tulsi, Vibhoodhi and other medicines made of natural sources. The treatment for epilepsy is very effective at the illam and patients still approach the namboothiris of the illam. The manuscript on palm leaves which gives the make of these medicines are also kept safe at Illam.
Once a pious Kalakat Namboothiri while returning from Kottiyur temple after prayers, stopped at dusk for Sandhyavandanam
Sandhyavandanam
Sandhyavandanam is a religious practice performed by Hindu men initiated into the rite by the ceremony of Upanayanam, and instructed in its execution by a Guru . Sandhyavandanam consists of excerpts from the Great Vedas that are to be recited thrice daily...
at Manathana temple. While bathing in the nearby brook, he noticed a lady bathing in the adjacent bay. The lady offered thaali and said would help him apply Thaali on Namboothiri's head. But, out of his intuition and elevated self he could soon realise it was no other than Bhadrakali
Bhadrakali
Bhadrakāli , is one of the forms of the Great Goddess mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous"....
herself. When she offered the Thaali (herbal shampoo), but knowing that showing his head will be his end, told her that anything the divine Mother gives is "Amruthu" (nectar) for him, drank the Thaali. Kaali, being quite satisfied by the devotion, blessed and gave him a spear, a "Vaalkannaadi" (a mirror with a handle) and a crown ("Kireetam"). He consecrated the spear at Neeliyaar-kottam near Mangattuparamba of Kannur district, the Vaalkannaadi at Pulikkal-Raayara-mangalam, where tigers and cows graze together, and the crown in his own Illam. This crown is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum of the Illam.
This Illam was originally at Naarkkalam, 7 kilometers north of Kanhangad
Kanhangad
Kanhangad is a town and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 28 km from the district headquarters of Kasaragod. Bekal Fort is a 300-year old fort, one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala and lies 10 km north of Kanhangad. The fort is...
, later moved to Chandrol (Chandranelloor) in Peringome village, and later moved to Perinthatta
Perinthatta
Perinthatta is a village in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala.-Demographics: India census, Perinthatta had a population of 5174 with 2479 males and 2695 females....
(Purakkunnu), about 20 km east of Payyannur, its present location.
Kaliyattam
Kaliyattam basically means the Play of God. It is a traditional social ceremony with tremendous religious importance which had been in existence since ancient times, mostly practiced in the Northern part of KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Kaliyattam
Kaliyattam
Kaliyattam is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Jayaraaj, and starring Suresh Gopi, Lal, and Manju Warrier. The film is an adapted version of William Shakespeare's play Othello against the backdrop of the Hindu Theyyam performance...
is a term that can be used for festivals in temples and other sacred places.
There is a practice of conducting a three day "Utsavam" (Malayalam name for Festival) at Kalakat Illam, which is also known as "Kaliyattam". This is conducted on 10th, 11th, and 12 January every year. People from different parts of Southern India rush in to see the Theyyam
Theyyam
Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
, an ancient traditional dance form of Northern Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. A foreign crowd is also seen sometimes for their academic researches.
People of selected caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
vannaan, malayan etc. around the area put costumes and face paintings traditionally to depict the God's bhoothaganangal or gods themselves. During Kaliyattam, the Illam is painted new, many Brahmins come for different poojas and to witness the flamboyant festival. There will be different types of "Daanam"(sharing of wealth to get blessed). Gurussi or Guruthi (means sacrifice) is also offered to the deity in the first night of the start of Kaliyattam. Guruthi is a depiction of offering to the Shakthi(Bhagavathy) and seek her blessings. This ritual along with traditional lamps, pandams (fire at tip of a long broad stick) and Chenda
Chenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka State in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as Chande....
-melam, is beautiful as well as a horrifying sight. The Guruthi tharpanam is performed with a huge vessel which is filled with a mixture or turmeric, burning lime and water which would be blood red in color. Those who witness the invigorating Guruthi performance, finds it as an indescribable event. Devotees from Kodagu
Kodagu
Kodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
(Coorg) District of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
are frequent visitors to the Illam. Because of the powers of Mantras and Poojas at the time of Guruthi people begin to lose their consciousness and start thullal (uranju thullal). It is also said that the ritual of Guruthi Tharpanam cures a woman suffering from mental abnormalities. These uncommon sights are solely part of the Kalakat Illam Aura.
Long stretch of poojas and a Thayambaka
Thayambaka
Thayambaka or tayambaka is a type of solo chenda performance that developed in the south Indian state of Kerala, in which the main player at the centre improvises rhythmically on the beats of half-a-dozen or a few more chenda and ilathalam players around.A thayambaka performance on the chenda has...
is also performed before the Guruthi.
Kaliyattam in northern Kerala and its significance
After a KshetramKshetram
Kshetram literally means a place. In Hindu mythology, it is referred to as the physical holy location where a temple or a collection of temples, its tank and deities exist.-Sacred geography:...
(temple) has been built and the "prathishta" has been done, in the presence of kshethra ooraalanmaar (owner of the temple), bhaaravaahikal (Committee members), and gramawasikal (local population), kshethra aacharyan (thanthri of the temple) will do Nithya-Nidaanam (daily worship like pooja, special pooja). In case of kalakat illam or similar illams the ooralanmaar and the aacharyan will be the same. Later to commemorate the "prathishta" day every year, thanthri along with the temple committee, with the support of gramawasikal will celebrate Utsavam or Kaliyattam in Northern Kerala or North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
. The festival can be planned to be conducted on the same star sign of the prathishta day in subsequent years or any other day which is acceptable to all the people in the village. In Kalakat illam, the prathishta was done years back and no one living now does know when did the kaliyattam start. But its sure that, it is happening at least from last 150 years. Kalakat Illam is not recognized as a temple, but as another illam where there is a sanctum sanctorum and hence is like a temple where devotees come and worship. The kalakat illam can be mapped to a temple for a general overview on festival or the utsavam. An utsavam or Kaliyattam is celebrated to increase the "deva-chaithanyam" (glow of eternal peace) of the temple. In Kaliyattam, as earlier mentioned the vannaans or malayans would do artistic paintings on their body and face. Also with their ornamental costumes, they perform a peculiar dance, which is accompanied by the "pakka-melam" (percussion instruments played along). Hence in North Malabar, in Illams like Kalakat Illam or any other "Kaavu" (also known as Bhoothaalayam), synonym of temple, Kaliyattam is the main festival.
Theyyam
The word meaning of theyyam is "Daivam" (a regional term for god). The name Theyyam had been derived from the improper pronunciation of "Daivam" over a period of years. The Theyyam or Daivam is actually believed to be the "Swaroopam" (image or embodimentEmbodiment
Embodied or embodiment may refer to:in psychology and philosophy,*Embodied cognition , a position in cognitive science and the philosophy of mind emphasizing the role that the body plays in shaping the mind...
) of the god that is being worshipped in that temple or Illam. According to Hindu Mythology, a particular god can take different forms, and there are stories related to each of these forms. Hence in places like Kalakat Illam, Kaliyattam is celebrated for three days, which is stuffed different forms of the "Bhagavathy" (the regional name for goddess) of the illam and different stories associated with Illam and Bhagavathi.
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
are known as "kolam". If the person who dresses up as Theyyam or kolam, the devotees see the theyyams as the reincanated form of their Ishta-devatha. At that stage there are paternal or fraternal relations. Theyyam is the god incarnate even for the biological father, and they don't talk anything casually. Theyyam is not only believed to be a form of god, but in certain places it's also a form of a human being who lived in the past. The human beings in certain places who possessed some kind of supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
powers are called as a "veeran" or a 'stuff of legend'. Later when they die their stories of fame are sung and forms are costumed as theyyam and remembered. Later down the lane of years this becomes a worship. Hence for example in Kerala, people know about legendary heroes like Thacholi Othenan, Kadam kottu Maakkam, Kathivannoor veeran (worshipped as Theyyam) etc. This mode of worship is known as "Veera-Araadhana".
Instruments used
The main instruments used are the chendaChenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka State in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as Chande....
, most importantly and the kuzhal
Kuzhal
The kuzhal is a traditional double reed wind instrument used in the south Indian state of Kerala. It is similar in construction to a nagaswaram or a large shehnai, and has a very shrill and penetrating tone....
(like Kurum Kuzhal), small elathaalam. No other main instruments are used.
The practice of Theyyam at Kalakat Illam
Kaliyattam is a three day long festival, where each day different theyyams perform a rare combination of dance and music. The start of any particular Theyyam is known as its "Purapaadu"(English-to start). Before the purapaadu of the theyyam, there will be "Thottam" and "Vellattam". The Thottam is a song which is sung accompanied by a "Chenda" and an "Elathaalam" (both are percussion instruments) by any of the members who takes the role of a Theyyam. The language is not purely Malayalam, TamilTamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
is also mixed up here and there. A Thottam will have the evolution story of the particular deity or a hero as mentioned earlier as, which "Daivika Amsham" it is from, its birth, its legends and fame. The song will have verses boasting a supreme hero, who showed supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
deeds and was a kind of god to the people. If we carefully study the lines of the 'thottam paattu (Paattu-Malayalam word for song)', we can know from which "Devatha roopam" it is. There had been detailed research that had been done on this, but the details are not very easily accessible. Also, it is important that the members of the family are supposed to understand and know the details of the theyyam. The major theyyams in Kalakat Illam are Ucha-kutti shaasthan (1st day daytime), bhairavan, karivaal, kakra-bhagavathy, raktha chaamundi (throughout 1st day night), uchitta (manthra moorthi), karin-kuttishaasthan, bhootham, (2nd day), pottan, gulikan, oorpazhasshi, vettakorumakan (also known as vettekkaran in some parts of kerala), prardhna kuttishaasthan, kurathi, vishnu moorthi, valiya mudi (bhagavathi incarnation - The most important theyyam in the neighbouring villages except in Kalakat Illam, where kuttishaasthan is the most important and sacred). There are certain weapons seen at the sanctum sanctorum of the Illam, which are used by the theyyam during their part of kaliyattam. Rest of the time it is kept along with the main deity, bhagavathy in the sanctum sanctorum and its powers are increased.
The kodava
Kodava
The Kodavas are a patrilineal ethno-lingual group from the region of Kodagu, in Karnataka state of southern India who traditionally were land-owning agriculturists with martial traditions and natively speak Kodava takk...
or kudakar(people from the "Coorg"(kodagu) dist of Karnataka)plays an important role during the Kaliyattam at Kalakat Illam. They have a practice of worshiping the Manthramoorthi of Illam for numerous years, as old as the illam. They worship weapons like swords, dagger at their temples which are believed to be the weapons used by the goddess Bhadra-kaali. If they have a temple at their place and the root of that temple is in this Illam, they come here during kaliyattam every year and do komara darshanam of the manthramoorthi, perform pooja, increase the power of their weapons that they bring along, seek blessings from the thanthris at Kalakat Illam, and go back satisfied at the last day of the kaliyattam. The komara darshanam of the kodakar is done during the purapaadu of kuttishaasthan, and other powerful manthramoorthi theyyams.
Importance of Kuttishaasthan at Kalakat Illam
As from the lyrics of "thottam paattu":Years long back, when there was no child births at kalakat Illam, and situation came like no more successors would be born, the eldest member (karnavar - Malayalam word for the eldest male member) of the Kalakat Illam, performed a homa or a yaga
Yaga
Yaga can refer to:* Yagya - in Hindu ritual* Baba Yaga - A witch-like character from russian folklore...
. Amidst the Yaga a child appeared, and later this child started showcasing supernatural powers. This child was from then known as "Kalakatu karinkutti shaasthan". Here in the Illam, Karin-kutti shaasthan is depicted as the vaishnava and the ucha-kutti shaasthan as the shaiva amsham. There are other stories related to the birth and forms of the kutti shaasthan. But the mentioned story is formally accepted.
See also
- Socio-religious link with Kodavas (Coorgs) of Karnataka
- North MalabarNorth MalabarNorth Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
- TheyyamTheyyamTheyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
- Bhuta Kola
- ThirraThirraThirra is a ritual dance of North Malabar region in the Kerala State, South India, performed in Bhagavati temples. Thirra is performed primarily in Thalassery and Vadakara areas. This art form is performed by the artists of Peruvannan community. This art is performed during Utsavam...
- Temples of KeralaTemples of KeralaThe list of the Temples of Kerala, district wise.-Thiruvananthapuram:* Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple* Pazhavangady Maha Ganapati Temple* Sreekanteswaram Shiva Temple* Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple* Kurumkalam Bhagavati Temple* Kovilvila Bhagavati Temple...
- Muthappan Theyyam
External links
1. Tantri of Thuluvannur Temple2. Chandranellur Bhagavathi Temple
3. Nambuthiri Tantrics
4. kalakattu illam perunthatta
5. Perinchelloor village
6. Thottam
7. Theyyam
8. Kaliyattam