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DANCE
Ochirakali
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Oachira
is place near Karunagappally in Kollam district of Kerala.
The Ochirakali is a martial art form performed at the
Ochira Prabrahma Temple (a temple having no idols to
worship). It is performed on the first and second day
of Mithunam (June-July) when the festival of the temple
is concluded. Ochirakali is a mock war, performed at
the vast field in front of the temple known as Padanilam
(war place).It
is believed that the art form is performed to commemorate
the war between the prince of Kayamkulam and Chembakassery. |
Performers
from 52 villages in and around the area form two teams and
perform the dance. They dress like ancient warriors and hold
fake sword, shield and other weapons. Ochirakkali can also
be considered as a festival of central Travancore region.
Parichamuttukali
Parichamuttukali
is a martial art-dance form of Christians of Kerala. The participants
are dressed like warriors with fake swords and shields and
dance in a circle. The dance is a mock fight and steps are
almost similar to that of Kalaripayattu. The song that sung
while performing the dance is about the St.Thomas.
Poorakkali
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A
function organised in Devi (Bhagavathy) Temples of North
Malabar in connection with the pooram festival during
the month of Meenon (March-April). Though pooram is
a festival of women, men perform the poorakkali. Poorakkali
requires special training and resembles the actions
of Kalaripayattu, the martial art of Kerala. Men perform
the dance by standing round a Nilavilakku (traditional
bell metal lamp) in eighteen different steps. The festival
will last for nine days. |
Velakali
Velakali is a martial dance
performed by men in the temples of southern Kerala to commemorate
the victory of justice over the evil. It is believed that
Velakali originated in Ambalappuzha. Mathoor Panicker, chief
of the Chempakasserri army, proped up the dance form with
a view to enhance the soldierly spirit. Velakali is a regular
item of the annual festival of the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna
temple.The dancers, dressed in the traditional clothes and
colorful headgear of the medieval Nair soldiers, armed with
phony swords and shields dance dynamically in front of the
idol, when the procession of deity takes place. The panchavadyam
is the accompaniment.
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