Pillai Theeni Theyyam: On the raised earthen platform, the demon bows over the seated "pregnant" woman, while holding a flapping white chicken in his right hand above the pregnant woman’s head. His skirt of split palm leaves reaches almost to the ground, and flames no longer burn in his split palm leaf headdress. He is no longer restrained by ritualists from attacking the pregnant woman, as he has accepted their offering of a white chicken, instead of the unborn child’s fetus. He The woman sits behind a bunch of areca blossoms held in front of her abdomen. A Pulluvan ritualist pours offerings over her head, perhaps to protect her from the demon. Ceṇḍa (chenda) vertical drums and smaller viku ceṇḍa drums and cymbal players play standing to her right on the raised earthen platform. Spectators stand in front of the opening of the backstage curtain. The demon is played by the Malayan dancer and teacher P.K. Panicker (Pallipurattu House, Kizhara PO, Cannanore. Malayan and Panan communities).
The goddess Kali surrounded by ceṇḍa (chenda) player during a part of the performance that took place among members of the audience. Pazhur Damodara Marar and party. Musicians: Kuruppanmar Marar. Pazhur Damodara Marar and party. Musicians: Kuruppanmar Marar.
An aṅkakkāran (fighter) character dancing with the light of two torches and the nilavilakku (lamp) behind him. Thirayāṭṭam, "colorful dance," is a divine ritual dance-drama of the South Malabar district in Kerala state that blends dance, drama, songs, instrumental music, masking, and facial and bodily makeup.
Siva Narada episode. The goddess Kali emerges above the curtain. An attendant lights a cotton torch at the oil lamp. Instruments not seen include: vik ceṇḍa (chenda), jālra, kuzhal (double-reed aerophone with straight tube), (generator noise). Pazhur Damodara Marar and party. Musicians: Kuruppanmar Marar.
Pillai Theeni Theyyam: A demon is being restrained from attacking the pregnant woman. The demon is played by the Malayan dancer and teacher P.K. Panicker (Pallipurattu House, Kizhara PO, Cannanore. Malayan and Panan communities).
Padayāni are a “row of soldiers” sent by Lord Siva at Lord Subrahmanya’s request to cool Goddess Kali’s anger, aroused the previous night during the Mudiyeṭṭu Theyyam when she fought and killed the demon Darika. The “soldiers” imitate the Goddess’ wrath, which causes her to laugh and forget her anger. In this image is Kālāri, Enemy of Death (Kala: god of death; ari: enemy), epithet of Lord Shiva, with five faces (panchamukha) including the ritualist’s painted green face, and long hair. He brandishes a Siva trident in his right hand. He has leaves on his waist and on the staff in his left hand. Performed by Guru P. K. Madhavan (Pillai) and party.
An aṅkakkāran (fighter) character, seen from the side, dances behind a table with a nilavilakku (lamp). There are small flames on the ground. Thirayāṭṭam, "colorful dance," is a divine ritual dance-drama of the South Malabar district in Kerala state that blends dance, drama, songs, instrumental music, masking, and facial and bodily makeup.
Kummāṭṭī (Kummattikali) is a mask dance of Kerala. Image of a Kummāṭṭī Thumbi pāṭṭu “Dragonfly Song” performance of a “play song” usually performed in door-to-door processions during Onam. Nayar male teens play on villu kottu striking their bows. Three singing, masked dancers are covered in kummatti leaves. Two of them beat a masked old woman walking with a stick, the mother Thamma, because she is “licentious” and is too friendly with the audience. The actor on the left wears a black mask and crown-like headdress; the mother Thamma character wears an old woman mask and a white cloth headdress; the actor on the right wears a painted headdress of 2 orbs stacked stop a base. Performed by V. P. Paul and party.
The goddess Kali surrounded by ceṇḍa (chenda) player during a part of the performance that took place among members of the audience. The explosion of fire was created by the practice of thelli eriyal--throwing pine resin on a lit torch. Pazhur Damodara Marar and party. Musicians: Kuruppanmar Marar. Pazhur Damodara Marar and party. Musicians: Kuruppanmar Marar.
