Pillai Theeni Theyyam: A "pregnant" woman hiding behind a bunch of areca blossoms near singers, ceṇḍa and smaller viku ceṇḍa (chenda) drummers and cymbal players.
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, a pakṣi bird with a short dhoti, a bare chest, and a birdlike mask with green beak, arms has “wings” of bamboo spines with palm leaves. Performed by Guru P. K. Madhavan (Pillai) and party.
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, Bhairavi: representing the hideous goddess Bhadrakali. A painted kolam mask, enormous crown, breastplate with jutting breasts and triangular waist piece, all made of areca tree laths. Performed by Guru P. K. Madhavan (Pillai) and party.
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, two Yakṣi female demons in green masks, tall painted crowns, and split bamboo skirts. Performed by Guru P. K. Madhavan (Pillai) and party.
Shiva Narada episode. The start of the performance, the moment before Lord Siva emerges above the curtain. A musician plays a ceṇḍa (vertical drum). 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.
Sarpam pāṭṭu (song in honor of the snake god) / thullal (dance that imitates the movement of a snake), a serpent trance healing ritual enactment with a kalam ritual floor drawing. A kalam drawing of a five-headed naga serpent, drawn with colored powders on the pounded earth floor. A pujari sits below drawing of snakes’ heads. Ritual objects including diya oil lamps, coconuts, flowers and supari blossoms adorn the kalam. The leader is V. P. Bahuleyan.
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.
