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Kalampattu
Kalampattu is a traditional performing art in Kerala, India. It is performed as a vazhipad (offering). Pattu kurup, a traditional community, is in charge of that function. This offering is performed for the blessings of gods like Bhadrakali, Ayyappan, Vettakkorumakan, serpent god, etc. This kurup makes the kalam picture (drawn on the floor using five colours) and he sings also. The velichappad (Komaram) mostly belongs to the Nambudiri community does the kalapradikshinam (rounding the kalam with different steps and rhythms), nalikerameru (breaking of coconut as offering), and kalammakkal (validictory function – closing the function). Background The word "kalam" refers to the nursery for a paddy field, and thus, the folklorist Sasidharan Klari has suggested the Kalampattu is related to fertility. Items *Pattu Kurayidal (official starting of the function): The kurup with the agreement of the offerer starts the programme with decorating the stage (Mandapam or Pattupura). Sometim ...
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Painkulam
Painkulam is a village in Panjal Grama Panchayat in Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. The village, situated on the shores of Bharathappuzha, is the birthplace of Late Raman Chakyar, who was a leader with a vision and a mission to the world of art. He taught the temple arts Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu to non Chakyar castes and democratized the art form. Painkulam village has a government upper primary school, several preschool nurseries and a local library (Grameena Vayanasala). An aqueduct, built in 1960s by the irrigation department, is a major attraction in the village. Vazhalikkavu Temple is situated in Painkulam, this evergreen location (One side forest area, one side Bharathapuzha, and vayal) provide a good situation to pilgrims. The festival is basically the birthday of Devi and this is the event which is celebrated by all the localities irrespective of caste and race. When the elephants are decorated with 'Caparison', it will become a charm of the fest ...
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Performing Arts In India
Indian culture is the heritage of social norms and technologies that originated in or are associated with the ethno-linguistically diverse nation of India, pertaining to the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and the Republic of India post-1947. The term also applies beyond India to countries and cultures whose histories are strongly connected to India by immigration, colonization, or influence, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia. India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food, and customs differ from place to place within the country. Indian culture, often labelled as a combination of several cultures, has been influenced by a history that is several millennia old, beginning with the Indus Valley Civilization and other early cultural areas.John Keay (2012), ''India: A History'', 2nd Ed – Revised and Updated, Grove Press / Harper Collins, , see Introduction and Chapters 3 through 11Mohammada, Malika (2007), ''The foundations of the composite culture i ...
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Malayalam Era
The Malayalam Calendar, or the Kollam Era (), is a sidereal solar calendar used in Kerala. The origin of the calendar has been dated to 825 CE, commemorating the establishment of Kollam. There are many theories regarding the origin of the era, but according to recent scholarship, it commemorated the foundation of Kollam by Maruwan Sapir Iso, who was the leader of Persian Christian Settlers and trading guilds like Anjuvannam following the liberation of the Kingdom of Venad from the Chola rule by or with the assistance of the Chera emperor at Kodungallur. The Quilon Syrian copper plates were grants and privileges given to the trading guilds involved in the establishment of Kollam by Sthanu Ravi Varma. Kollam was the capital of Venadu and an important port town of the Chera Kingdom in that period. Kollam Aandu was adapted in the entire Chera Kingdom (the contemporary states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), the majority of which is now in Kerala. In Malayalam-speaking ...
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Kalasam
A ''kalasha'' () is a finial, generally in the form of metal or stone spire, used to top the domes of Hindu temples. Kalashas as architectural feature has been used at least before the first millennium BCE and were made of terracotta and wood during this early period. They were used as decorative element placed on top of various types of buildings. They are mainly restricted to temple architecture in the contemporary period. Present in the form of an inverted pot with a point facing the sky, kalashas are prominent elements of temple architecture. According to the ''Aitareya Brahmana'', a golden kalasha is regarded to represent a sun upon the summit of a deity's dwelling, the temple. Most kalashams are made of metal and some of stone. The view of the ''gopuram'' (temple tower) is one of the important rituals of Hindu worship along with view of the '' dhvaja stambha'' (temple flag mast). These gopurams are usually topped with ornamental kalashas. Kalashas are consecrated dur ...
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Brahmin Priest
Brahmin (; ) is a ''varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). The traditional occupation of Brahmins is that of priesthood (purohit, pandit, or pujari) at Hindu temples or at socio-religious ceremonies, and the performing of rite of passage rituals, such as solemnising a wedding with hymns and prayers.James Lochtefeld (2002), Brahmin, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing, , page 125 Traditionally, Brahmins are accorded the supreme ritual status of the four social classes, and they also served as spiritual teachers (guru or acharya). In practice, Indian texts suggest that some Brahmins historically also became agriculturalists, warriors, traders, and had also held other occupations in the Indian subcontinent.GS Ghurye (1969), Caste and Race in India, Popular Prakashan, , pages 15–18 ...
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Velichappadu
Velichappadu in Malayalam translates as Revealer of Light, is the oracle or mediator between a deity and devotees at a Hindu temple in Kerala. Prominent in Valluvanad, the Velichappadu, also known as Komaram in some parts, is an integral part of the rituals in a Bhagavathi temple. There are both male and female Velichappadu and often belong to a particular family. People, in Kerala and beyond, have enormous respect for these mediating oracles when they're in their trances and heed to their words. Appearance As followers of Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannagi), they are seen dressed in red, body smeared with turmeric powder and adorned with heavy ritual ornaments and garlands. A heavy hooked sword or sickle-shaped sword, chilambu (anklet), and aramani (huge and heavy waist belt studded with bells) are a part of the ensemble. Often, as their identity, a Velichapadu grows long hair, which hangs loose on their forehead and back. Performance The Velichappadu makes their customary appe ...
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Mullakkal Temple
The Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple is a Hindu temple in Mullakkal, Alappuzha, Kerala, India. The temple was designed and built in the old Kerala style. The temple grounds is filled with jasmine plants, after which the place may have been named, since 'mullai' in Tamil and 'mulla' in Malayalam mean jasmine. There are several stories related to the origin of the temple and its foundation. The idol in the inner shrine is that of the goddess Durga Bhagavathy. The temple is run by the Travancore Devaswom Board Travancore Devaswom Board is statutory and autonomous body managing around 1252 temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a place of worship, a building used for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. By convention, the .... The structure of the temple The sanctum sanctorum or inner shrine has an open roof. There are other deities in the temple including Hanuman, Ganesha, Subramanya, Nagaraja, Navagraha, Krishna, and Ayyappa. A banyan tree within t ...
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Mulluthara Devi Temple, Malamekkara
The Malayalam Multicellular Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in Malamekkara, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. Legend Throughout history, the temple has been used as a training center for Kalari and has been home to Kaniyars who taught Ezhuthu Kalari, Ayurveda, and Astrology. The main ritual of the temple is Kuthiyottam, a dance form created to commemorate the triumph of the goddess Parashakti over the demon Mahishasura. The dancers are considered to be the injured soldiers of the goddess. Sub Deities * Ganesha * Brahmarakshasa * Vetala * Serpent deities Festivals One of the most renowned festivals held at the temple is ''Jeevitha Ezhunnullippu'' With Appindi Vilakku, which takes place in the month of Kumbha (late February to early March). * അത്തം തിരുന്നാൾ മഹോത്സവം. In Literature * ''Mullutharayile Aappindi Vilakku''(മുള്ളുതറയിലെ ആപ്പിണ്ടി വിളക്ക്), a poem about Aap ...
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Nāga
In various Asian religious traditions, the Nāgas () are a divine, or semi-divine, race of half-human, half-serpent beings that reside in the netherworld (Patala), and can occasionally take human or part-human form, or are so depicted in art. Furthermore, nāgas are also known as Dragon, dragons and Water spirit, water spirits. A female nāga is called a Nagin, or a Naiṇī Devī, Nagini. According to legend, they are the children of the sage Kashyapa and Kadru. Rituals devoted to these supernatural beings have been taking place throughout South Asia for at least 2,000 years. They are principally depicted in three forms: as entirely human with snakes on the heads and necks, as common serpents, or as half-human, half-snake beings in Hinduism and Buddhism. ''Nagaraja'' is the title given to the king of the nāgas. Narratives of these beings hold cultural significance in the mythological traditions of many South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures, and within Hinduism and Buddhism ...
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Kattakampal
Kattakampal is a village in Thrissur in the state of Kerala, India. It is famous for Pooram which is an annual festival of Kattakampal Temple. It is located about 30 km from Thrissur, 8 km from Kunnamkulam and 12 km from Guruvayoor. Demographics India census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ..., Kattakampal had a population of 11642 with 5509 males and 6133 females. Related Links • Kattakampal Temple References Villages in Thrissur district {{Thrissur-geo-stub ...
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Marar (caste)
Marar is the name given to the caste of hereditary temple musiciansBodies of Silence, Floods of Nectar: Ritual Music in Contemporary Brahmanical Tantric Temples of Kerala. Yale Journal of Music & Religion: Vol. 7: No. 2, Article 2. of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar region in the state of Kerala, whose primary duty was to provide the traditional temple '' Sopanam'' music. They belong to the Ambalavasi caste. Etymology The word 'Marar' comes from the Tamil word 'mar', which means 'beat' and marar meaning the one who beat instruments like chenda and idakka in temples. Men of marar caste are called Mārar and ladies are called Mārasyar or Amma. Paani, the indispensable part of high tantric rituals of temple such as ulsavabali, sreeboothabali etc. is  another main hereditory temple profession of Marar. They were also known for their playing of chenda (valam thala represents deva vadyam (usually play inside the nalambalam) and edam thala represents asura vadyam) and idakka (d ...
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