Velichappadu in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

translates as Revealer of Light, is the

oracle An oracle is a person or thing considered to provide insight, wise counsel or prophetic predictions, most notably including precognition of the future, inspired by deities. If done through occultic means, it is a form of divination. Descript ...

or mediator between a deity and devotees at a Hindu temple in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

. Prominent in Valluvanad, the Velichappadu, also known as Komaram in some parts, is an integral part of the rituals in a

Bhagavathi Bhagavatī (Devanagari: भगवती, IAST: Bhagavatī), is an Indian epithet of Sanskrit origin, used as an honorific title for goddesses in Hinduism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, it is primarily used to address the goddesses Sarasvati, Lak ...

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 Bhadrakali (IAST: Bhadrakālī; ) is an important goddess, mainly worshiped by Hindus, and is a form of Kali. She is considered to be the auspicious and fortunate form of Adi Shakti or Durga, the supreme mother who protects the good, known ...

(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 appearance in the temple after performing a puja. Here they perform a frantic dance called thullal, usually accompanied by beatings of drums and cymbals, and gets into a trance with the spirit of the presiding deity. The deity is believed to speak through him as the Velichappadu dances, delivering the frenzied forecasts. They may also predict solutions to problems put forward by devotees and hence the name which also translates as "the one who sheds light (on problems)". Their counsel, often delivered in incomprehensible words and abrupt gestures, is translated to the devotees by an assistant. During the thullal a Velichappadu may also cut his forehead with his sword offering his blood to the deity as a symbol of unshakable faith.

Kodungalloor Bharani

Velichappadus from across the state flock to the annual Kodungalloor Bharani event performing the frenzied dance, thullal, around the temple and singing Bharani Paattu.

In popular culture

Kakkarissi Natakam

Kakkarissi Natakam is a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati when they assumed human forms as Kakkalan and Kakkathi - a nomadic tribe of fortune tellers. The legend only serves as a skeletal framework for the play, which often turns into a subtle critique of contemporary society. The language is a blend of Tamil and Malayalam. The chief characters are Kakkalan, Kakkathi, Vetan, Velichappadu, Thampuraan and the ubiquitous Jester. The

Dholak The ''dholak'' is a two-headed hand drum, a folk percussion instrument. The dholak is most commonly recognised in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, but can also be found amongst the Indo-Diaspora in countries s ...

, Ganchira,

Chenda The Chenda (, ) is a cylindrical percussion instrument originating in the state of Kerala and widely used in Tulu Nadu of Karnataka in India. In Tulu Nadu (Coastal Karnataka), it is known as ''chende''. The instrument is strongly associat ...

and the

Harmonium The pump organ or reed organ is a type of organ that uses free reeds to generate sound, with air passing over vibrating thin metal strips mounted in a frame. Types include the pressure-based harmonium, the suction reed organ (which employs a va ...

provide the background score.

Movies

# ''

Nirmalyam ''Nirmalyam'' () is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and stars P. J. Antony, Sumithra, and Ravi Menon. P. J. Antony won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1974 for his performance as a ...

'' - M. T. Vasudevan Nair's movie adaptation of his short story "Pallivalum Kalchilambum" # ''

Utsavamelam ''Utsavamelam'' (The Sound of Festival) is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Suresh Unnithan and written by K. S. Bhasurachandran. The rivalry between two families and the unexpected middle man in these issues is the main theme ...

'' # ''

Thilakkam ''Thilakkam'' () is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language black comedy film directed by Jayaraj and written by Rafi Mecartin. Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, and Thiagarajan play the lead roles. The rest of the cast includes Nedumudi Venu, K. P. A. C. Lal ...

'' # '' Veeralipattu''

References

{{reflist Hinduism in Kerala Arts of Kerala