This is a presentation about the traditional art named Kalamezhuthu (Rangoli) and a satire dance cum drama performance called Kakkarissi Nadakam.

1. Kalamezhuthu
&
Kakkarissi Nadakam
Jinu Jose
114

2. Kalamezhuthu
•The Kalamezhuthu is a forty-day ritualistic
festival beginning with the first of Vrischikam
(Scorpio) in most Bhagavathy temples in Kerala
•The paintings of the Kalam commences with a
ritual called Uchappattu (noon songs). The
Kalam would be completed by evening.
•Vannan uses a stringed instrument called
Nantuni.

3. Nantuni
It is a musical instrument
used in `Kalamezhuthu
pattu’. About 4 feet in
length, little strings are fixed
to a hard plank of wood.
When hit on the strings
softly with a twig, a sound is
produced.

4. •The kalam (floral drawing) - also called
powder drawing
•The artist uses the floor as his canvas.
•The colored powders used for the kalam are
prepared from natural products only.

5. •The pigments are extracted from plants –
•rice flour (white),
•charcoal powder (black),
•turmeric powder (yellow),
•powdered green leaves (green),
•a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red).

6. •The figures drawn usually have an expression of
anger.
•Kalamezhuthu artists are generally members of
communities like the Kurups, Theyyampadi
Nambiars, Theeyadi Nambiars and Theeyadi
Unnis.
•

7. •Kalamezhuthu pattu (Kalam Pattu) is performed as
part of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like
Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan; a Hindu
deity worshipped in parts of North Kerala and North-
Western Tamil Nadu.
•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.

9. Kakkarissi Nadakam
• Kakkarissi Natakam is a folk art form popular in Central
Travancore
• Prevalent among the Kuravas of Thiruvananthapuram
district, this group dance.
• The protagonist in most of the plays is known as Sundara
Kakaan. Besides there are other characters like Kakkathis,
Vedan etc. The handsome Sundara Kakaan is the
representative of the Kakkala community (a nomadic tribe of
fortune-tellers).

10. • With dance steps and songs, they perform on stage.
• It contains wild beatings of primitive drums like para,
veekkan chenda etc.
• The instruments used are Harmonium, Mrudangam,
Ganchira and Kaimani.

11. • a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic legends of
Lord Siva and his consort Parvathy and Ganga when they
assumed human forms as Kakkalan and Kakkathi - a
nomadic tribe of fortune tellers.
• The legend only serves as a skeletal framework for the play,
which often turns into a subtle critique of contemporary
society.

12. • The language is a blend of Tamil and Malayalam.
• The chief
Characters
are Kakkalan, Kakkathi, Vedan, Velichappadu, Thampuraan
and the ubiquitous Jester.
The Dholak, Ganchira, Chenda and the Harmonium provide
the background score.

13. • The play opens with a welcome song. Then enters the
Kakkalan. He comes with a fire – torch raised. He dances to
rhythmic beats. ‘Thampuran’ will be seated on the stage as
the questioner.
• The question – answer session between the ‘Thampuran’
and kakkalan moves the play forward. The play progresses
with song and dance.
• The Kakkarissi Natakam depicts social criticism, satire etc

15. Thank you