Event 52: Thirayāṭṭam - Kalliasseri
- Description:
- 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. <br/><br/> 1. Vellāttu of Thira. A kombu (kob) curving trumpet begins the prelude to the theyyam ritual dance/drama of Thira, the Goddess Kali. <br/><br/>2. Thottam/Stotram. Two men chant the introductory story, alternating with kombu blasts, two pounding ceṇḍa drums, and jālra hand cymbal clashes. A man marches in brandishing a sword with which he touches the altar. A procession of drummers begins offstage. <br/><br/>3. Aṅkakkāran (fighter) Thira. Two fighters enter the stage screaming. Wearing small headdresses, they represent youth. A flaming torch dance chutugettiyāṭṭu (?) is performed by the two fighters wearing large headdresses with peacock feathers and wielding long staves as they engage in a stick battle. Rhythm is provided by three ceṇḍa drums, two tudi drums, one jālra hand cymbal, and a kombu single note trumpet. Two fighters, representing mature adulthood, engage in battle with short sticks and round shields. A namaskaram greeting occurs at the altar (24:44). The large staves and crowns of the fighters are removed, representing old age (25:00), and the two original fighters dance alone. A singer beats a drum in seven-beat cycles and sings. Two dancers pick up swords, circumambulate stage, give pranams (bows expressing respect) at the altar, and scream.
- Date:
- April 6, 1984
- Resource Type:
- moving image
- Photographer:
- Jairazbhoy, Nazir Ali, 1927-2009
- Collection:
-
Bake/Jairazbhoy Digital Archive of South Asian Traditional Music and Arts
