Kavadiyattam

Kavadi is a multi-colour bow shaped wooden structure with 6 to 10 feet high. There are two types of kavadis – pookavadi and ambalakavadi. The pookavadi has clusters of multi-colour paper, cloth or plastic flowers while ambalakavi is structured and decorated like temple. The ritual dance with kavadi is performed in Subramnya temples. The dancers wearing bright yellow or saffron costumes with scented ash smeared on face and body do the performance to the a accompaniment of resounding beats of percussion instruments – udukku, chenda and nadaswaram which is a wind instrument. Kavadiyattam, a colourful ritual art, is a votive offering to Sree Subramanya. Basically of Tamil origin, Kavadiyattam is widely prevalent in the Subramanya temples all over Kerala during the festival seasons. Devotees performing kavadiyattam carry on their shoulders an ornate Kavadi - a huge bow, richly decorated with peacock feathers as it is believed that the peacock is the vehicle of Sree Subramanya. Kavadiyattam literally means dance carrying a kavadi. The dancers twist and spin in a row. A group of such kavadi dancers make a beautiful sight.